Privileged but Blinded

John 11:45-57

Why did the pharisees think that if Jesus goes on performing miracles, people will believe in him then the Romans will come and take away their place and their nation?

There's 2 strands of thoughts here: 
A. Jesus goes on performing miracles, people will believe in him
B. Romans come and take away the chief priest and pharisees' place and nation

How do they link? 

The chief priests' positions are given to them because they are the religious leaders. So if people believe in Jesus, Jesus becomes the religious leader and Jesus will be given the title instead. Is it that simple?
Then why would the nation be taken away as well? 
Because the chief priests believe that they hold the entire Judaism and Israel with the structure that they currently have. The priestly structure. It's given by God. In their mind, the structure has to be in place then only the religion and the nation can function. 
But this one man who doesn't represent any priestly nor religious structure, he comes and makes everyone believes in him, he will only mess up their Judaism. He will mess up their structure. He will mess up their society. He will mess up their nation. 

So, Caiaphas the high priest says, 
Get ride of this man! it is better for one man to die for the people and not the whole nation perish. 

In their mind, do they have any notion at all that this man could be their long awaited Messiah? This eschatological hope that they are waiting for, is fulfilling in their time and age! Does it cross their mind at all? They are so privileged to witness that, but at the same time, so blinded! 

PRAYER

Lord, may I be close enough to you to notice the work of your hands. May I not be blinded by the positions, success, titles, ranking or even structure that I live in, to forget to see from your lens, to bypass the wonders of what you're doing in my time and age. Lord, have mercy!