Sometimes just being a witness to Jesus' power is dangerous
"When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus."
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus."
John 12:9-11
The Saturday night before Palm Sunday (tomorrow) is the anniversary of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointing Jesus with costly ointment in an extravagant display of her love for him. Jesus said it would always be remembered about her, and obviously, it is.
The setting of that special gift was at a dinner that Lazarus and his sisters gave for Jesus in their home that evening, as the Sabbath was coming to a close. It wasn't just a meal for the family, the disciples, and Jesus, although they are clearly in focus. Apparently others of their neighbors came--and not just a few. The clearly stated reason is in our text. It was only a matter of days (or at most a few weeks) since Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Talk about a rock star! Had this happened today, Lazarus would have been on every news and talk show imaginable. They didn't have such things then, but people had heard about it, and then heard that Jesus, the miracle worker himself, was back at the home of this family in Bethany. So they came in large numbers. I don't know if they fed them all, but I wouldn't put it past Martha.
However, some of those who knew all about it were not there and were not fans. They were the religious leaders of the Jewish nation in Jerusalem. What they saw distressed them greatly. People were moving toward Jesus because of the newly raised Lazarus. Rather than let the miracle touch their hearts or even challenge their thinking, they came up with what they believed was the only sensible solution. Since they didn't want people believing in Jesus, they didn't want them to see evidence that he should be believed in. Lazarus was, right now, Exhibit A; therefore, Jesus had to die, but to make sure his legend didn't live on, Lazarus had to go back to the grave, too.
Imagine that. People hate you because a miracle gave you life. Just his being alive was enough to want him dead.
Reading the story again made me think. All around each of us are other believers, and we all are those who have been raised from spiritual death by Christ (and with Christ). We are, in a real sense all a "spiritual Lazarus," called out of the grave. And in a real way, our lives ought to be just as much a testimony of the power of Jesus as his--so that we would become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.
Now I know, you can't see being spiritually raised to life like you can see a physical raising. But just a minute. It was the fact that Lazarus was showing all the signs of life that made him the miracle. Are there signs of spiritual life that should be evidence that we have experienced the miracle of new life? I think you know there are.
The setting of that special gift was at a dinner that Lazarus and his sisters gave for Jesus in their home that evening, as the Sabbath was coming to a close. It wasn't just a meal for the family, the disciples, and Jesus, although they are clearly in focus. Apparently others of their neighbors came--and not just a few. The clearly stated reason is in our text. It was only a matter of days (or at most a few weeks) since Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Talk about a rock star! Had this happened today, Lazarus would have been on every news and talk show imaginable. They didn't have such things then, but people had heard about it, and then heard that Jesus, the miracle worker himself, was back at the home of this family in Bethany. So they came in large numbers. I don't know if they fed them all, but I wouldn't put it past Martha.
However, some of those who knew all about it were not there and were not fans. They were the religious leaders of the Jewish nation in Jerusalem. What they saw distressed them greatly. People were moving toward Jesus because of the newly raised Lazarus. Rather than let the miracle touch their hearts or even challenge their thinking, they came up with what they believed was the only sensible solution. Since they didn't want people believing in Jesus, they didn't want them to see evidence that he should be believed in. Lazarus was, right now, Exhibit A; therefore, Jesus had to die, but to make sure his legend didn't live on, Lazarus had to go back to the grave, too.
Imagine that. People hate you because a miracle gave you life. Just his being alive was enough to want him dead.
Reading the story again made me think. All around each of us are other believers, and we all are those who have been raised from spiritual death by Christ (and with Christ). We are, in a real sense all a "spiritual Lazarus," called out of the grave. And in a real way, our lives ought to be just as much a testimony of the power of Jesus as his--so that we would become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.
Now I know, you can't see being spiritually raised to life like you can see a physical raising. But just a minute. It was the fact that Lazarus was showing all the signs of life that made him the miracle. Are there signs of spiritual life that should be evidence that we have experienced the miracle of new life? I think you know there are.
- Faith in Jesus
- Trust in his Word
- Love for other Christians
- Faithful witness to the gospel
- Growing hatred of sin
- Increasing joy in holiness
- The fruit of the Spirit
That is just a start. And I might suggest that these signs may be enough to put you in danger! Not from Jewish religious leaders, but from a greater enemy. Satan hates to see the evidences of spiritual life, and he will do all he can to kill them off in you. He may stir up unbelievers to persecute and threaten you, as he has done in so many places and eras. But he may also throw all sorts of temptations, discouragements and challenges your way as well. He hates you for the life you show. If he can't keep Jesus dead (and he couldn't), he will do his best to stop you and your life from being seen. Why? Because just like Lazarus, your life might also be enough to draw others to Jesus.
Let's live out the reality of what we are--alive from the dead, to the glory of our Savior!
Let's live out the reality of what we are--alive from the dead, to the glory of our Savior!
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