Bone Box of the Rich and Famous

The contrast between the two men could not have been more striking. Caiaphas, the high priest, was among the rich and famous, arguably the most powerful Jew alive in A.D. 30. He had married into the high priest's family and now was himself high priest for a year by Roman appointment. With a PhD-level rabbinic education, Caiaphas was urbane and sophisticated.

His counterpart was said to be a craftsman from a hick town in the Galilee who some three years before had quit his job to take up preaching. He had no powerful connections; his popularity might be as fleeting as that of any of the other messianic pretenders succeeding each other year by year. Yet his miracles did arrest one's attention, and this latest one was outstanding. He had raised a dead man back to life in a suburb of Jerusalem where it could be witnessed by many from the Holy City--respected men whose testimony could not easily be set aside.

Caiaphas must have watched the hand-wringing of the council members with some amusement. It was perfectly clear to him what must be done. When he had enough of the unanswered questions and the shoulder-shrugging, he probably raised his hand demanding and receiving instant silence. "You know nothing at all!" he said. "You don't realize that it's better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish" (John 11:49-50).

Caiaphas's words ended all debate and set the course of official Jewry regarding the Nazarene. He must become the nation's sacrificial lamb. Caiaphas apparently never knew how prophetic his analysis was. Jesus truly was the sacrificial Lamb whose death benefited not only His nation, but all of humanity (1 John 2:2). Caiaphas's murder plot became the means by which God blessed the world.

In 1992 archaeologists announced they had discovered the ossuary (bone box) of the family of Caiaphas. This ornately carved, stone container is the only remaining memorial to the man most responsible for putting Jesus on the cross. His wealth is dissipated, his influence gone, his name all but forgotten. He could easily have been the model of the Nazarene's word-sculpture of a man who gained the whole world and lost his soul (Matt. 16:26).

Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

---

Origin of Certain Thoughts (Part II)

Continued from "Origin of Certain Thoughts, Part I"If you haven't... Read More

Unification of World Religions

If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path... Read More

The Ten Commandments Starring Charlton Heston

Last Saturday, the children were down at their grandparent's house... Read More

Tsunami Animals Hint At Our True Nature

We as human beings consider ourselves the most intelligent species... Read More

Homeless, Rejected, and Poor

Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Tell Me the Story of... Read More

Relieve Me of Myself

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself... Read More

Change Your Outlook on Change

Make no mistake about it, change is challenging whether it... Read More

Four Voices

The Bible tells us that we must be led by... Read More

Spiritual Inspiration Music and The New Age

Spiritual Inspiration Music is about Love, Growth, Spiritual and Personal... Read More

What Does God Want From Me? A Personal Revelation of Conviction Verses Condemnation

It's strange how my life today looks wildly different from... Read More

Angelic Art - Alternative & Spiritual Healing Therapy

As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More

God Can See Your Heart

Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More

8 Ways to Plant Spiritual Ideas Deep in Your Heart

The fundamental aim of spiritual study is to get facts... Read More

Spiritual Awakening

As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More

How Much Do You Love Me?

Love...it's a deep emotion. Sometimes we say it in jest... Read More

Mind Walls

Walls as a blockade seem to be an integral part... Read More

Animal Spirits: Power Animals and Guides

We shamans are a strange breed.....often we tend to isolate... Read More

Stepping Into the Darkness

One of the "loopholes" in my philosophical belief system when... Read More

Allowing Joy

"Ask and it shall be given" is a phrase we... Read More

Two Types Of Spirituality ... Faith And Knowledge

The term spirituality is a confusing term. Usually, when one... Read More

The Star of Bethlehem

It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More

Beware of the Lobby Lizards

Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More

It Took a Banker to Show Me What Jesus Was Talking About

On January 13th 1982 an Air Florida flight crashed off... Read More

The Pizza Parable

Behold, a certain young maiden did often times and at... Read More

Questioning - Is It A Natural Process?

One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 2

Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More

Healing For Your Soul

Can God really heal your pain? Does every trial come... Read More

Halloween Rites

For some of us, EVERY DAY IS HALLOWEEN!!! If you... Read More

Ego - Why Do We Have One?

Why do we have an Ego?Almost all spiritual guides say... Read More

The Science of Enlightenment

I would like to share my experience, working with the... Read More

Anam Cara - Making Sense of Life

We make sense of our world via the senses. The... Read More

A Crash Course In Tarot For Newbies #1 - All About the Cards

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More

How To Find Your Center Of Power

The still place is the beginning. Settle in there, ask... Read More