John 11:49-52 Talk about blind guides and deaf prophets!

“Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.’ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11: 49-52) .....Talk about blind guides and deaf prophets! They can not even hear what they spoke out loud for the Lord. The high priest correctly prophesied the reason for the death of Christ, yet he neglected to hear his own words. “Caiaphas was not a private citizen but was God’s high priest, and God overruled in what he said…His words were true in a way he could not imagine. Prophecy in Scripture is the impartation of divinely revealed truth. In reality Caiaphas’s words meant that Jesus’ death would be for the nation, not by way of removing political trouble, but by taking away the sins of those who believed in him.” (Concordia Self-Study Bible. "Lutheran edition of the NIV study Bible" John 11: 51). We can speculate when Caiaphas finally figured it all out, probably as he entered into eternity. One wonders what his reaction was when he finally figured it out! “Caiaphas, …is compelled by God to utter more than he intends or knows. Like Balaam of old, he must speak what God puts in his mouth. (Numbers 23:12)” (Concordia Self-Study Commentary (96)). And his words still echo down throughout the ages. Jesus died for the sake of us all and we are now united in the common belief that he has won for us. The Una Sancta still exists and is completely united. .....When we consider the John 11: 49-52 passage above with “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11), we are amazed at how powerful the Word of the Lord really is. Not even people with evil intents can stop it from being effective. One is comforted with the fact that it doesn’t mater how well written or delivered a sermon might be. God’s Word still changes lives. His Word still changes history. His Word remains potent down throughout the ages. This gives the minister encouragement. Just today I told my mentor that he said something that broke a destructive chain of thoughts I was having which had rendered me impotent and unable to take the next steps in an effective ministry. His comment was “I don’t know where that came from but I am glad it helped.” It came from God especially for me all wrapped up in scripture. .....In a strange and comforting way this passage brings me hope, Lord. Even when I do not really get what I am proclaiming it still is the truth. It still changes people’s lives. Help me, God, never to be so blind, so deaf, so thick headed that I can not understand what you are saying through me. I pray for my life to be changed every time I open my mouth to share You and Your Holy Scriptures. May the people who hear those words take them to heart and internalize the Bible’s truths into their lives.....AMEN