Dear Christian friends:

There was a very bad boy named Tom, who went to the public school. He was always in trouble. So his parents decided to take him out of the public school and send him to the Catholic School. In the Catholic school they have a crucifix hanging on the wall above the black board behind the teachers desk. Well after Tom had gone to the Catholic School a few days he changed and now was a good boy, obeying all the rules. One afternoon, after school, Tom met a friend. This friend was still going to public school. He said to Tom, "I hear you've changed, and are not fooling around anymore. What happened?" Tom answered, "Do you know what they do to you if you fool around at the Catholic School? The friend said, "No, what do they do?" Tom answered, "They nail you to a cross."

Tom misunderstood the meaning of the cross. He did not yet know why Jesus was crucified. Many people today, also do not know the reason why Jesus was crucified.

Many people wear a cross as a necklace, but do they really understand about the cross? What is the true meaning of the cross? Jesus died on the cross. Why? What is the Bible's answer to that question? Our text, which is the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday, gives two reasons for Jesus' death on the cross.


The first reason was political. Because of politics Jesus must die. Innocent people often must die because politicians want to stay in power. Fifteen years ago that happened in El Salvador during the civil war there. Death Squads killed many innocent people. That is also happening now in Sudan, Africa. Also in our country politicians do many wrong things to stay in office and keep their power.

Daily we read in the newspaper about the Enron scandal. Many innocent employees lost all their retirement savings. Often innocent people must suffer because of crooked politicians. This was also true when Jesus lived here on earth two-thousand years ago.

The Jewish politicians were the Pharisees and the chief priests. They were the members of the Council. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor let this Council rule the Jewish people. As long as they kept control over the people and kept the peace, fine no problems! But if they lose control and can't keep the peace, Pilate would put them out of office. They would lose their positions and money.

In our text we read that the Council members called a meeting. (Read John 11:47-48) Jesus now was very popular because He had done many miracles and had just raised Lazarus from death. Many people now believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior God had promised through the Old Testament prophets.

But these Council members refused to believe in Jesus. Jesus had told them that He is God's Son, the Messiah, the Savior.

"I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” (John 10:30-33)

Therefore, we see how blind and stubborn these Council members were. Only God can do the many miracles that Jesus did. Only God can command a person dead to awake, arise and live. Jesus did that three times! These Council members were jealous of Jesus and refused to believe in Him, although Jesus gave them plenty of proof that He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Now, because they reject Jesus as God's Son and Savior, they seem to think He is a revolutionary who will try to lead the people to fight against the Romans and free the Jews from Roman rule. And they seem to think that He will fail and many Jews will be killed and they will lose their office. Therefore, they condemn Jesus and want to be free from Him. When you refuse to believe the truth, then God lets you believe a lie.

Jesus must die because of politics and crooked politicians. That's the first reason why Jesus had to die on the cross.

The second reason is spiritual. God condemned Jesus to die!

During the meeting of the Jewish Council, the High Priest, Caiaphas, advised the Council to kill Jesus, and he gave a reason why Jesus must die: "You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (John 11:50)

Caiaphas means that they must stop Jesus before He can begin to lead the people in revolt against the Romans. In that way they will keep their offices and place and the people will not be killed by the Roman soldiers. How will they stop Jesus? By telling the lie to Pontius Pilate and force Pontius Pilate to condemn Jesus to die on the cross.

But God used his evil advice for a good purpose. John says in our text about Caiaphas:

"He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life." (John 11:51-52) God's spirit was speaking through Caiaphas, although he himself didn't know it.

God wanted Jesus to die. Caiaphas and the other Council members condemned Jesus to die with an evil heart, but God condemned Jesus to die with a good, kind heart, so that sinners can have forgiveness of sins and have eternal life. This is the real reason why Jesus must die. The Bible says:

"Christ died for our sins." 1 Corinthians 15:3
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
"He died for all." 2 Corinthians 5:15

We perhaps blame the Jewish Council for condemning Jesus to die on the cross. But we are not better than they are. Our sins, our greed, our pride also is the reason why Jesus must suffer and die on the cross.

If you believe that Jesus died for you, you will show your thanks by living for Jesus. That is what St. Paul tells us in the Epistle Lesson I signed to you before. (Romans 8:11-19)

Thomas Chisholm wrote this hymn, Living For Jesus to remind us and help us live for Jesus.

1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Chorus:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Chorus:

3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Chorus:

4. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Chorus:

Amen.