The Plot Against the Son of God

July 19th, 2026 - John 11:45-57

Sermon - Pastor Scott Thompson

John 11:45-57 marks a turning point in Jesus' earthly ministry. After witnessing the raising of Lazarus, many believed in Him. Rather than ending the opposition against Christ, this greatest of miracles intensified it. The undeniable evidence of His divine power forced everyone to make a decision. They would either bow before Him as Lord or harden their hearts against Him.

Some who saw what Jesus had done believed, while others went to the Pharisees to report His actions. The religious leaders gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees into a council because they feared the growing influence of Jesus. Ironically, they admitted that He was performing many signs, yet instead of asking whether He truly was the promised Messiah, they were consumed with protecting their own position and authority. Their concern was not the glory of God but the preservation of their power. Sin has a way of blinding the heart so that even overwhelming evidence can be rejected.

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, declared that it would be better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish. John immediately tells us that Caiaphas was speaking more truth than he realized. As high priest, God sovereignly used his words to prophesy that Jesus would die for the nation, and not only for the nation of Israel, but also to gather into one the children of God scattered abroad.

This is one of the clearest reminders that even the wicked intentions of sinful men cannot overturn God's perfect plan. Caiaphas intended political expediency. God intended redemption. The Jewish leaders believed they were eliminating a threat, but in reality they were carrying out the very plan God had ordained before the foundation of the world. Christ was not a helpless victim of circumstances. He willingly laid down His life as the Good Shepherd for His sheep.

Notice also that John says Jesus would gather together the children of God who were scattered abroad. The cross was never an afterthought. Christ came to save His people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. His death would secure the salvation of all whom the Father had given Him. The Good Shepherd would lose none of His sheep, but would bring them safely into one flock under one Shepherd.

From that day forward, the religious leaders made plans to put Jesus to death. Yet even then, they could not act apart from God's sovereign timing. Jesus withdrew to the region near the wilderness because His hour had not yet come. Throughout John's Gospel we repeatedly see that no one could seize Him until the appointed time determined by the Father. Every event leading to the cross unfolded exactly according to God's purpose.

As the Passover approached, many traveled to Jerusalem and wondered whether Jesus would appear. The tension was building. The religious leaders had ordered that anyone knowing His whereabouts should report Him so He could be arrested. They believed they were preparing for the end of Jesus' ministry. In reality, they were preparing for the fulfillment of God's promise that the true Passover Lamb would be sacrificed for sinners.

This passage reminds us that every person must respond to Jesus Christ. The same miracle that brought some to faith caused others to reject Him more fiercely. The issue was never a lack of evidence but the condition of the heart. Today, the question remains the same. Will we submit to Christ as Lord, or will we resist the One who alone has authority to save?

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so. Please visit us at here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

Until we meet again, lets go serve our King and share the greatest news ever given!

FRF Family