prophecy, when of himself he designed nothing more than to give the most impious advice. And though this was certainly a remarkable instance of God's interposition, it was by no means singular : for none of the prophets fully understood the import of their own words f: some prophesied without any direct intention on their partg; and others, in words most opposite to their own wishes11.
In this prophecy he unwittingly declared,
1. The end of Christ's death —
[Be astonished, O heavens ! this inveterate enemy of Christ, at the very moment when he proposed that he should be put to death, proclaimed, that it was not for his own sins, but for the good of others ! How careful was God to clear the innocence of his Son, when, in addition to this wretched pon- tiff, he stirred up Judas who betrayed him, and Pilate who condemned him, and one of the malefactors that suffered with him, and the centurion who superintended his execution, to unite their testimony to this effect! With this prophecy of Caiaphas agree those of Daniel and Isaiah, that " the Messiah was to be cut off, but not for himself1 ;" that he was to be " wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniqui- tiesV Yes, "he died, the just for the unjust1:" he was a propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"1."]
2. The efficacy of it —
[Caiaphas intimated, that if this Jesus were put to death, all cause of fear would cease, and the whole nation would enjoy both peace and safety. Blessed truth ! provided only we believe in Jesus: we then indeed have nothing to fear from those who have enslaved us, or from those who seek our ruin: sin, Satan, death, and hell shall all be disarmed of their power. The whole Israel of God, wheresoever " scattered," are the nation of whom Caiaphas unwittingly spake : they are " a holy nation :" they are interested in all that Christ has done or suffered : they " are gathered into the one" great com- munity ; partakers of one heavenly nature ; members of one mystical body ; and heirs of one eternal glory n. Caiaphas, thy words are true ; " they are tried to the uttermost ;" that Jesus, whom thou persecutedst, " has by death destroyed death,
f Compare Ps. xxii. 16—18. with 1 Pet. i. 10—12. s 1 Sam. x. 10—12. h Numb. xxii. 38. with xxiv. 10.
1 Dan. ix. 26. k Isai. liii. 5. 1 1 Pet. iii. 18.
m 1 John ii. 2. " Rev. v. 9.
1671.1 OUR lord's views of his own death. 54o
and delivered those who were all their life-time subject to bondage °."j
Infer —
1. How mysterious is the providence of God!
[That act which was in itself the most atrocious that ever was committed, was in its effects the best ! How deep a mystery ! the life of the world secured by the death of God's only Son ! But so it is still : " God's ways are in the great deep :" and the very efforts which are made by men and devils for the destruction of his people, are instrumental to their esta- blishment and growth in grace. And the time shall come when all the saints shall see as much reason to bless God for the malice exercised towards themselves in particular, as now they see to adore him for the accomplishment of his word in and by the Lord Jesus.]
2. How rich his grace !
[For whom was it that Jesus died? it was "for that nation ;" that nation that abused so many mercies, and perse- cuted so many prophets, and imbrued their hands in the blood of God's only Son ! Even Caiaphas himself, with all that were concerned in that unparalleled transaction, were free to accept of mercy, and, by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ upon their souls, to be cleansed from the guilt of shedding it. Nor are we excluded from the benefit. What- ever guilt we may have contracted, the way is open for us, if we desire reconciliation with our offended God: " Not one that comes to him shall ever be cast out." Let this grace, this " exceedingly rich grace," fill us with astonishment, and be now, as it certainly will be in the eternal world, the subject of our incessant praise.]