Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 12, 2025

Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text: John 11:45-56

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary (sister of Lazarus) and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing,

nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So, from that day on they planned to kill him.

So, Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts the reactions to Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. While it is reported that many came to believe in Jesus because of this, the reading today shows us the reaction of the religious leaders in Jerusalem who feared that Jesus would be perceived as the Messiah and that would lead to the Romans reacting militarily and more oppressively. So, the leaders, chiefly Caiaphas, decided that it was best to stop Jesus before that occurred. Their reason for wanting to arrest and crucify Jesus was for their own protection. They did not realize that Caiaphas’ prophecy would come true but would be greater than prophesized: Jesus' death doesn’t only save Israel but all of humanity and His followers grew around the world.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I try to limit Jesus’ impact on my mind, heart, soul and world? Does giving Jesus power in my life scare me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for us, your daughters and sons, and your desire that we share in life in abundance with You led to your sending your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to take on our human nature except for sin, and to redeem us for our sins when we would not and could not do it ourselves. Send your Spirit to tenderize our minds and hearts so that we will open ourselves more fully to His love, to His “Way,” to the salvation He gave His own life to secure for us in love for You and love for us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.