Better the One than Many

John 11:49-52 (NIV)

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." ⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

Caiaphas was completely unaware of just how true his words were. It was better not just for the Jewish nation but for all humankind—for each one of us—for you, for me that this one man die, for without the death of this one all would be eternally lost. The one who must die could not be just anyone, it had to be Jesus—the perfect one. No one else’s death could merit the salvation of one person, let alone the salvation of all humankind for everyone else was/is deserving of death. Jesus the only person to ever live who did not deserve to die, must die, if all of us who deserve to die are to live. JESUS, THANK YOU!

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

²⁸ Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 John 2:2 (NIV)

² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.