Monday, March 1st, ‘10

Monday, March 1^st, ‘10

POSITIONAL AUTHORITY

“Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation” (John 11:51)

The setting, a council of Jewish chief priests and Pharisees. The discussion, what to do with Jesus, should He be left alone or should action be taken to shut Him down? The problem, all Jerusalem was being influenced by His miracles and teachings. The response, Caiaphas declared that “one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (vs 50). It’s not clear that he knew the full gist of what he was saying, but that is immaterial. What Caiaphas said that day happened exactly as declared and predicted. Verse 51 states that he did not speak those words “on his own authority”. Caiaphas wasn’t merely blabbing. Divine words were placed on his lips, likely unbeknownst to him. And what he did utter, motives tainted as they were, became God’s mandate because, “he being high priest that year…prophesied…”

Do we truly understand the power of position? You and I would question the validity of Caiaphas’ priesthood but the office, right or wrong, carried a vestment of authority. He spoke and his words came to pass. Paul said, “I magnify my office” (Rom 11:13). We speak of respect for the office of president though that seat has held some shady characters. David wouldn’t lift his spear against “the Lord’s anointed”. Saul was about as useless as Caiaphas yet both offices carried genuine authority.

What do we make of that? If the course of history was set by the positional words of the high priest Caiaphas, how much more does heaven back up the faith of those walking in the priesthood of all believers and the integrity of their given positions? This man prophesied and supernatural events concurred that have affected time and eternity. You and I are “in Christ”, under His headship, endowed with His Spirit, invested with His authority. Nothing of spiritual origin happens in earth until it is spoken through the lips of those given rightful rule. God may want to speak through you. Caiaphas didn’t even know he had become a mouthpiece. We ought to expect to be channels of His authoritative word. We know the Word, find the mind of God, know His intentions then speak forth prophetically. I’m not talking about “thus saith the Lord” but rather declaring what we know to be the will of God. That sets miracles in process. We have personal priesthood (1 Pet 2:5). And Jesus is the “High Priest of our confession” (Heb 3:1). If Caiaphas’ very office carried weight with God, how much more the official, certified High Priest, Christ? We speak, He verifies.