Yes, Jim, it is hard to see humanity, especially those chosen by God to reveal Him, reject the truth and put to death the One sent to save them. Humans made in the image of God so deceived that they turn on the Son of God as if they were doing God a favor. What I find so difficult is with this lesson before us, God's chosen people today could repeat this great sin, crucifying Christ afresh. The third person of the godhead is attempting to awaken a sleeping church just as read Jesus was trying to do in His day.
We are thankful the end result will be much different. There will be revival and reformation in our day. But, as it was with Israel of old, so it is today. Many who occupy positions of leadership in God's church are just a set in their rebellion against God as were the priests who plotted the death of Christ. The great deception on what it means to be "righteous" and to have eternal life is in our church as it had been foisted upon Israel.
On the lips of Caiaphas this most precious truth was turned into a lie. The policy he advocated was based on a principle borrowed from heathenism. Among the heathen, the dim consciousness that one was to die for the human race had led to the offering of human sacrifices. So Caiaphas proposed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save the guilty nation, not from transgression, but in transgression, that they might continue in sin. And by his reasoning he thought to silence the remonstrances of those who might dare to say that as yet nothing worthy of death had been found in Jesus.
At this council Christ's enemies had been deeply convicted. The Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan strove to gain control of them. He urged upon their notice the grievances they had suffered on account of Christ. How little He had honored their righteousness. He presented a righteousness far greater, which all who would be children of God must possess. Taking no notice of their forms and ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a merciful Father, and make known their wants. Thus, in their opinion, He had set aside the priesthood. He had refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical schools. He had exposed the evil practices of the priests, and had irreparably hurt their influence. He had injured the effect of their maxims and traditions, declaring that though they strictly enforced the ritual law, they made void the law of God. All this Satan now brought to their minds.
Satan told them that in order to maintain their authority, they must put Jesus to death. This counsel they followed. The fact that they might lose the power they then exercised, was, they thought, sufficient reason for coming to some decision. With the exception of a few who dared not speak their minds, the Sanhedrin received the words of Caiaphas as the words of God.
Such deceptions! How could it be repeated today? We see what Satan has done in other false religions. How ISIS in the name of God murders, rapes, and pillages. We see how the beast in the name of Christ is set to repeat her base crimes. But, how can it be that Satan has a foothold in God's last church? Amazing! How dull are the minds of men.