Comment:
It is time to move on and if God permits, we will! We are still in chapter 11
of John’s gospel and the LORD is about to raise up Lazarus from the “dead”. It is
interesting to me that “dead people” are a topic of discussion in the “Living
Word of God”. In our human and natural mind, we over time may recall someone or
a loved one who passed from life to death and our recollection is of when they
were alive. In their present condition of death, we know nothing, nor can
recall experiences about them in their present state. In our human experience,
we see death as final, death is not final, it is eternal and there is a place
called eternity. Sadly, to many people force eternity out the vital reality
that death is more important than life itself. Speaking of “practical wisdom”
Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 7:1 – A good name is better than precious (costly)
ointment, and the day of ‘death’ than the day of one’s birth.
Devotional: “Lazarus come forth”, This is a turning point
for the LORD Jesus as it is the last public revealing of the Glory of God, but
it is not the last revealing of God’s glory in His Son. John 11:40, Jesus is
still speaking to Martha, “did I not say to you that if
you would believe you would see the Glory of God?” As the miracle
unfolds and as all are watching, the first thing that is witnessed by all is
the LORD’s prayer to His Father. “Side note” When we pray we ought always pray
through Christ, revealing the Glory of God, through Him.
Many believed in Him, but some went away (believing or
unbelieving) they went to the Pharisees and told these men all the events of
raising Lazarus from the dead. This led to the plot to kill Jesus, there is
something interesting in the development of the plot. Caiaphas who was the high
priest that year, said to the Pharisees; “you know nothing at all, nor do you
consider that it is expedient (useful or needful) that one man should die for
the people, and not the whole nation to perish”. This was a God directed
prophesy, Caiaphas could not prevent this statement from being said, (John
11:51).
The Jewish leadership was afraid that the Romans would
dissolve their nation, if the nation turned to their Messiah. Unknown to
Caiaphas is that he in prophesy, revealed the Plan of God the Father, the
eventful death of His Son Jesus that would remove the sting of death for ‘all
of mankind’. Please read; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. The raising of Lazarus is a
glorious truth, but what is more glorious is the eternally rewarding personal faith
of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment