Беседа 65

John 11:49–50. One of them, a certain Caiaphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: you know nothing, and you will not think that it is better for us that one man should die for the people... and so on. 1. Involuntary prophecy of the high priest Caiaphas. – 2. The removal of Jesus Christ and His stay with Lazarus. – 3. The sin of covetousness. – An image of those who are infected with this evil. – Greed is a kind of idolatry. - The strength of her power. 1. “The nations fell into the pit they had dug; in the net which they hid their foot was entangled” (Ps. 9:16). This happened to the Jews. They said that Jesus must be killed so that the Romans would not come and take their language and city; and meanwhile, when they killed, then they were subjected to this. Thus, while avoiding what they apparently did, they did not avoid that very thing, because they did it. He who was killed is in heaven; and those who killed will inherit Gehenna, although this was not their intention, but what? “From that day,” it is said, “they decided to kill Him” (John 11:53), because, they said, “the Romans will come and take possession of our people” (John 11:48). “One of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest that year,” being more shameless than the others, “said: you know nothing” (John 11:49). What they still hesitated about and what they offered for discussion in the form of an opinion (since they said: “What should we do?”), this one proclaimed shamelessly, openly and with impudence. What is he saying? “You don’t know anything, and you won’t think that it is better for us that one person should die for the people, than that the whole nation should perish. But he did not say these things on his own, but, being high priest that year, he predicted them” (John 11:49–51). Do you see how strong the power of the bishop is? Having been fully worthy of the bishopric, although he was unworthy, he prophesied, without himself understanding what he was saying. Grace took advantage only of his lips, but did not touch his unclean heart. Likewise, many others predicted the future, although they were unworthy, for example: Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Balaam; the reason for this is known. And the words (of Caiaphas) ​​mean this: you sit, hitherto paying little attention to this matter, and do not know that you should neglect the salvation of one person for the (good) of the common. Look at the power of the Spirit! From an evil soul He was able to extract words full of wonderful prophecy. And the evangelist calls the pagans children of God, in relation to the future, just as the Lord himself says: “I have other sheep” (John 10:16), calling them so in relation to the future. But what does the words mean: “being high priest that year”? The fact that, along with other things, this (dignity) has been distorted since positions of authority became corrupt. They were no longer high priests for the entire duration of their lives, but for one year. However, even at this, the Spirit was still inherent in them. Only when they raised their hands to Christ did He leave them and move on to the apostles. This was shown by the torn veil and the voice of Christ, who said: “Behold, your house is left empty” (Matthew 23:38). Likewise, Josephus (Flavius), who lived a short time later, said that certain angels, who were still with them in anticipation of their correction, left them. While the vineyard still existed, everything was; but as soon as they killed the heir, it was no longer so, and they died. And God, having taken from the Jews, as if from an ungrateful son, light clothing, gave it to the good servants of the pagans, and left them poor and naked. It was also not unimportant that the enemy prophesied about this. This could also attract others, because in reality it did not turn out at all as (the enemy) expected. Through the death (of Christ) the faithful were freed from future punishment. But what does it mean: “to... gather together” (John 11:52)? That He made those near and far into one body, so that he who lives in Rome considers the Indians to be his members. What can compare with such a meeting? And the head of all is Christ. “From that day on the Jews decided to kill Him” (John 11:53). And before they sought this, as it is said: “The Jews sought to kill Him for this reason” (John 5:18), and again: “Why are you seeking to kill Me” (John 7:19); but then they were only looking, but now they have made a decision, and look at this matter as an obligation. “Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews” (John 11:54). Again he saves himself humanly, as he often does. 2. I have already spoken of the reason why He often left and withdrew. And now He lives near the desert, in Ephraim, and dwells there with His disciples (John 11:54). How embarrassed do you think the disciples were when they saw that He was being saved as a human being? No one followed Him anymore, since, on the occasion of the approaching holiday, everyone hurried to Jerusalem. And they, when everyone was having fun and celebrating, then they hide, then they are in danger; however, despite this, they remained with (the Teacher). So they hid in Galilee during the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. Likewise, after this, during the holiday, they alone of all ran and hid with the Teacher, and thereby showed Him their disposition. That is why Luke notices that (Christ) said to them: “I was with you in adversity” (Luke 22:28). And He said this to show that they are strengthened by His grace. “And many from all over the country came... to be cleansed. The chief priests and Pharisees gave orders... to take Him” (John 11:55, 57). Amazing cleansing - with the intention of being defiled by blood, with the thought of murder, with bloody hands? “And they said...: what do you think? won’t He come to the festival?” (John 11:56). They plotted on Easter, and made the time of the holiday a time of murder. Here, they say, He must fall into our hands, since now time is calling Him here. O wickedness! When special reverence was required, when those convicted of the greatest crimes had to be released, then they try to catch a person who has not committed any injustice. However, they have done this before. But not only did they achieve nothing, but they also became ridiculous. He often falls into their hands and leaves them, and when they plot to kill Him, He restrains them and confuses them, so that by the discovery of His power He will dispose them to heartfelt contrition and so that when they take Him, they will know that this happened not from their own strength, but from His permission. So now they could not take Him, despite the fact that Bethany was close, and when they took Him, He threw them down on their faces. “Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was,” and dined with them, with Martha serving and Lazarus reclining (John 12:1–2). Here is the proof of the undoubted resurrection (of Lazarus): after many days he was alive and eating. From here it is also clear that the supper was in Martha’s house, because they receive Jesus as His friends and favorites. Some, however, say that it was in someone else's house. Maria did not serve, but was a student. Again here it (is) more spiritual. She does not serve as a guest, and does not provide services to everyone, but gives honor to only one, and approaches Him not as a person, but as God. Therefore, she poured out the ointment and wiped it with her hair; this shows that she had a different idea about Him than others had. Meanwhile, Judas, under the pretext of piety, reproached her. What about Christ? She did a good (says) deed for “My burial” (John 12:7). Why didn’t He rebuke the disciple for this wife and say what the evangelist said, that is, that Judas reproached her because he was a thief? He wanted to touch him with great patience. And since He knew that Judas was a traitor, He had previously repeatedly denounced him, saying: not everyone believes, and “one of you is the devil” (John 6:64, 70). By this He showed that He knew him as a traitor, but did not expose him openly, but showed him leniency, wanting to turn him away. How can the other (evangelist) say that all the disciples said so (Matthew 26:8)? It’s true, that’s all, and him; but others are not from the same motive. If anyone asks why (Christ) entrusted Taty with the ark of the poor and made the money-lover the manager, then I will answer that God knows the hidden reason for this. If something should be told to us based on considerations, then this is in order to take away (from Judas) any excuse. Indeed, he could not say that he did this (betrayed Jesus) for the love of money, since he found sufficient satisfaction of his passion in the ark; no, he did this out of great wickedness, which Christ wanted to curb by showing him leniency. Therefore, He did not accuse him of stealing, although He knew about it, in order to curb his evil desire and take away all justification from him. “Leave her,” he says, because she did this for the day of My burial (John 12:7). Having spoken about the burial, He again made a hint about the traitor. But this reproof does not touch him, these words do not soften him, although they could arouse compassion. How would He say: I am unpleasant and burdensome? But wait a little and I will go away. He led to the same thought with the words: “You do not always... have me” (John 12:8). But all this did not bend the bestial and frantic man. However, (the Lord) said and did even much more than this: He washed his feet that night, and made him a participant in the meal and salt, which could have tamed the souls of the robbers, and said other words that could have softened the very stone. And all this not for a long time, but on the same day, so that time itself does not lead this to oblivion. But (Judas) persisted despite everything. 3. Scary, truly scary - love of money. It closes your eyes and ears, makes you fiercer than animals, does not allow you to think about conscience, or friendship, or communication, or the salvation of your own soul, but, turning you away from everything at once, it makes those captives your slaves, just like a cruel tyrant. And the worst thing about this bitter slavery is that it even forces one to enjoy oneself, so that the more one indulges in it, the more the pleasure increases. That is why this disease is predominantly incurable; That is why this beast is indomitable. The love of money turned Gehazi from a disciple and prophet into a leper; it destroyed Ananias; it made Judas a traitor; it corrupted the Jewish leaders, who accepted gifts and became accomplices of thieves. It gave birth to countless wars, filled the roads with blood, and the cities with cries and tears. It made the suppers unclean, the meals defiled, and the very dishes filled with iniquity. That is why Paul called it idolatry (Eph. 5:5), but he did not frighten him with this either. Why does he call it idolatry? Many, having wealth, do not dare to use it, but consider it a shrine and pass it on intact to their grandchildren and their descendants, not daring to touch it as if it were something dedicated to God. And if they are forced (to touch him), they are in such a state as if they had done something inappropriate. On the other hand, just as a pagan protects an idol, so you protect the gold with locked doors, instead of a temple you build an ark for it and put it in silver vessels. But do you not worship (gold) as he did his idol? Nevertheless, you show every respect towards him. Further, (the pagan) would rather give his eyes and soul than an idol: so are those who love gold. But you say I don’t worship gold? And he says that he worships not an idol, but a demon living in him. So you, if you do not worship gold, then the demon who invades your soul from looking at gold and from passion for it. The passion of love of money is worse than a demon, and many are more submissive to it than others are to idols. In many ways they do not listen to idols, but they obey the love of money in everything and do whatever it orders them to do. What does it say? Be, he says, an enemy and foe to everyone; forget nature; despise God; sacrifice yourself to me, and in all this they will obey. They sacrifice oxen and sheep to the idols; and the love of money says: sacrifice your soul to me, - and this is also fulfilled. Do you see what altars it has, what sacrifices it accepts? “The covetous... will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:10), but they are not afraid of that either. However, this passion in itself is weaker, because it is not innate to us and does not come from our nature; otherwise it would have been in us from the very beginning; but in the beginning there was no gold, and no one loved gold. If you want, I will tell you where this evil came from. Each, competing with those who lived before him, increased this disease, and the predecessor aroused it even against his will. People, as soon as they see bright houses, many fields, crowds of servants, silver vessels, a large collection of clothes, try in every possible way to have even more, so that the first are the reason for the second, these for the subsequent ones. Meanwhile, if they wanted to live modestly, they would not be teachers for others. However, there is no justification for these latter, because there are also those who despise wealth. Who do you say despises? The trouble is that evil has increased to such an extent that (the virtue of non-acquisitiveness) has apparently become impossible - and that it is not even believed that anyone follows it. I could, of course, name many in both cities and villages; but what's the use? After all, this will not make you better. And besides, we are now not talking about you wasting your property. I would like this; but since this burden is beyond your strength, I do not force you. I only urge you not to covet someone else’s, but to give some of your own. After all, there are many who are content with their own, take care of their own and live by righteous labors. Why aren't we jealous and imitate them? Let us remember those who lived before us. Do they not still have estates on which only their names are preserved? Here is so-and-so’s bathhouse, here is so-and-so’s suburb and hotel. Seeing this, don’t we immediately sigh, imagining how much labor he endured, how much theft he committed, and - he himself is nowhere to be found; and his acquisitions are enjoyed by others about whom he never thought - perhaps even his enemies - while he himself suffers the greatest punishment. This awaits us too: we will certainly die; and we will certainly meet the same end. Tell me, how much anger did they endure, how many costs, how much enmity? And what fruit? Endless punishment, deprivation of all consolation and condemnation from everyone, not only during life, but also after death. But what about when we see images of many placed in houses, doesn’t that make us cry the more? Truly, the prophet said well: “Truly, every man who lives is troubled in vain” (Ps. 38:6). Caring about such things is truly confusion and vain worry. But this is not the case in the eternal abodes and in those villages: here some worked, and others enjoyed; and there everyone will be the master of his own labors, and will receive a manifold reward. Let us strive for that acquisition. There we will build our homes, so that we may rest in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory forever. Amen. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: