The story of Jesus’s Jewish trial demonstrates the need for power blinds. The High Priest’s family managed the “Temple business.” The high priest was to serve until death according to Old Testament law. However, the Romans ensured the high priest would work for them by appointing the office. Caiaphas was the high priest at the time of Jesus’ trial, but the real power was Annas, Caiaphas’ father-in-law.
These rulers were Sadducees, meaning they did not believe in the resurrection, the spirit world, or the authority of any Old Testament except the five Books of Moses. Thus, they discounted any Messianic prophecies of the Scripture. The ministry of Jesus had disturbed them, and they wanted to safeguard their power base with the Romans.
Anti-Jesus Attitude
Jesus’ miracles and His popularity with the common people threatened to destroy the high priest family’s hold on power. John 11: 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” [1]
So, there would not be a fair trial for Jesus. The council went into the trial on the assumption that Jesus was guilty. Instead of asking God for insight into the situation, they proceeded in a way that would protect their earthly power base. That was paramount since they did not believe in an afterlife.
Unintentional Prophesy
What the Jewish leadership did in the sham trial of Jesus was evil. It can serve as a warning to us today. A drive for earthly power can blind us to the things of God. Yet, we see how God turned this evil into good. He even allowed Caiaphas to unknowingly prophesy what Jesus would do for us.
John 11: 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. [2] Jesus did die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. God promises that anyone who believes in Him has a new life here and in eternity.
John 3: 16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [3]
To learn how the need for power blinds, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/blind-ignorance
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.