Visible Truth

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” John 11:47-50

The truth of Jesus Christ is in plain sight. Caiaphas knew the answer, but he couldn’t quite understand the problem. Do you notice the incredible irony? People believed in Jesus on account of what He did. The belief that one man had to die to save many was also accurate.

Caiaphas demonstrates that a man can encounter Jesus and miss Him at the same time. In fact, he was correct and terribly misdirected at the same moment. The difference in understanding is evident in the problem. Jesus had to die to save people from certain spiritual death, and while the Romans were problematic, they were not the problem. Caiaphas was saying the right things with the wrong understanding.

As men, we must discern the truth or risk missing the solution altogether. It should concern us that the truth can be seen and lost simply due to a misunderstanding. We can look truth in the face and never grasp it. The solution? In humility, ask God for a discerning heart.

Do this today: Think deeply about what the death of Jesus Christ accomplished.