Christ Died for His People

John 11:49-53   
49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.  53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.

Jesus did many things which revealed who He is, and so the religious leaders were afraid of losing their standing and political security.  So they began looking for ways to kill Jesus. One even said it was best for Him to die in place if all the rest. So true, for that is what happened on the cross.  So in the 16th century others stood up and pointed to Christ Alone as the one who died for all, and the political church of those dark times sought to stop those like Luther bringing out God's word and the gospel to bring light and life.