Four things have dominated this week, all in the theme of death:

  • We mourned the loss of our dear sister, Shirley.
  • We heard news of the death of Pope Francis, whose life and ministry was characterised by humility.
  • We prepare to commemorate ANZAC Day, remembering those who served and some who gave their lives so that our nation might be free.
  • And most significantly, we celebrated the death and resurrection of Christ last weekend.

It is an unplanned blessing to discover that this Sunday at Picton, and the following Sunday at Wilton, we are looking at the last section of John 11, where the high priest Caiaphas declared to the gathered Sanhedrin:

‘It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.’

Caiaphas likely meant Jesus to be a political sacrifice, and the chief priests and Pharisees acted on this by plotting to take Jesus’ life.

Ironically, we see how Caiaphas’ prophesy was fulfilled in a much more significant way. Jesus death wasn’t a political sacrifice, to quell an uprising and keep the peace, it was a sin and death conquering, God’s wrath absorbing, Satan defeating, salvation offering, substitutionary death in our place so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God our heavenly Father. Isn’t it marvelous how God is in control of all circumstances and weaves them together to bring about his purposes – the salvation of his people, and the glory of his name!

Yours in Christ,

Ben

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