A Question and an Observation

Daily Reading: John 12

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 12.10-11)

Devotional Thought: Lazarus was a living example of God’s resurrection power.  When Jesus called him forth from the grave, he moved not only from darkness into light.  He moved into the limelight.  Some, like Lazarus’ sisters, gladly accepted this miracle of Jesus.  Others, as seen in the chief priests, rejected not only the miracle, but also the message of Jesus.  Their way of life was threatened, and they could not accept that Jesus was sent from God.  They compounded their sin by scheming to put Lazarus – an innocent man whose only crime was to be resurrected – to death also.

Two things came to mind as I read this, a question and an observation:

·       The question: “Is my life sufficiently impacted by Jesus that those around me cannot help but notice?”  Though they tried to deny it, the chief priests had to respond to the evidence of Lazarus standing before them.  They could call it a hoax, but they could not deny the fact that he was there before them alive.  Are we sufficiently alive to cause people to notice, perhaps not to believe, but at least to notice?

·       The observation: “When my life is sufficiently changed to cause people to notice, I will become the target of their anger and their rebellion against God.”  The chief priests weren’t mad at Lazarus.  They were angry because Jesus exposed the emptiness of their religion.  We who bear witness to Jesus will be maligned and marginalized by the opponents of God.  They will try to silence us and subdue our enthusiasm for Jesus.  But they cannot deny the fact that our lives have been changed!

Prayer: O Savior - you who are the resurrection and the life - give me your resurrection life.  Live in me so that others will believe in you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 37.25-33

25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.

28 For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.

33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.