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This is a bible study that I ran across on the internet. I am NOT the author, I DID NOT write this. However it is a great study and well worth passing on. I am not exactly sure of the authors name, if you know, feel free to let me know.
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Close enough to see; too far to believe"
Matthew 26:57-67; 27:11-26
Luke 23:44-49
Introduction:
The Bible is about believing.
The New Testament Gospel of St. John is direct in declaring that the words "are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31). NIV
But the Bible also recognizes that many people do not believe. There were in the first century and there are in the twenty-first century many people who simply do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. And, since they do not believe this they do not believe that they have eternal life through his name.
The Bible candidly presents the stories of believers and unbelievers alike. It acknowledges that right in the middle of the great story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection there were those who were close enough to see Jesus but too far away to believe.
I. Caiaphas-made up his mind in advance Matthew 26:57-68
The night before Jesus was crucified he was brought before the Jewish high court in Jerusalem. Called the Sanhedrin, this court was hastily convened and led by the high priest. His name was Caiaphas.
Caiaphas was the top official of the religious community in Israel. He was the equivalent to the Pope in the Roman Catholic church. Except, Caiaphas was married-in fact, he was married to the daughter of the previous high priest and that may have something to do with how he got the top job. He became high priest in AD 18 and held the office for 19 years until he was deposed by the Roman governor Vittelius (successor to Pontius Pilate) and then he disappeared from the pages of history.
One thing seems sure from the first century record-Caiaphas made up his mind about Jesus before the trial ever began.
