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My friend David Dose has a unique hobby. One that he’s pretty good at. He takes old metal and makes sculptures out of it. The first time I heard this, I’ll admit, I thought of the little Tin Man made out of old green bean cans my grandmother bought for me at a flea market.
These are definitely not the same.
When he showed me a picture, my jaw dropped!
Wow! This was amazing! Beautiful! I was speechless (which we know doesn’t happen too often).
He created something so magnificent out of discarded pieces.
I was still in shock. How did he do it? This was remarkable!
John 11:49-52 NIV
“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, the high priest of the year, was the leader of the Sadducees, a Jewish religious group that was wealthy, educated, and politically influential in the nation of Israel. They, along with the Pharisees, hated Jesus.
But in this passage, he doesn’t sound like he hates Jesus. In fact, it sounds like he is proclaiming the truth about Him.
How could this be?
God.
Isn’t He incredible?
He used this very ungodly man to be a mouthpiece for Him to explain the amazing impact Jesus’ death would have, even though Caiaphas didn’t realize it.
God is the wondrous Creator. He has an enormous, mind-blowing plan for the redemption of mankind. He will continue to use Caiaphas and his earthly authority to carry out this plan.
He can use anything or anyone for His masterpiece.
Even a man like Caiphas.
Did you know He can use you, too? God’s beautiful plan for the redemption of man isn’t over. He supplied what was needed for salvation, but He chose to use us to take that message to the ends of the earth.
You may feel like there is no way God could use you for anything. But my friend, He’s God and can use anything and anyone for His masterpiece.
But, there was a difference between Caiaphas and the disciples. The disciples chose to follow Christ. They humbly submitted to following Him and sharing the gospel. They knew the truth. They had experienced a changed life because of Christ. They believed.
On the other hand, Caiaphas still used by God didn’t believe. He was simply a mouthpiece. He chose to believe his own way instead of the Only Way, Jesus. And in the end, he lost.
We can and will be used for God’s glory, but will we do so with rejoicing? Will we be active and willing to carry out God’s plan to share the gospel and make disciples?
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