(John 11:53 NIV) So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
This morning we close out this mini-series “Lessons from Lazarus.” I trust you have been blessed. Over the last two weeks we have looked at a powerful episode in Jesus’ life. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four long days of mourning, crying, and pain. While this was, without a doubt, a powerful manifestation of the glory of God, we cannot lose sight of the fact that a family was caught in the middle of this story. Did God get the glory? Of course He did. Was His Son Jesus glorified as well as a result of this? You bet. But that does not lessen the pain for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This was an excruciatingly painful ordeal for them. Lazarus had to experience sickness and eventual death for four days. Mary and Martha had to experience the loss of the their brother and the hurt of knowing that Jesus had received word, but that He had not yet arrived. God permitted this tragedy to enter the arena of this family’s life and remember that these were people that He loved. Without this family’s pain we would not have this story and we would not be learning from them 2,000 years after the fact. The accounts of the gospels are not just stories; they are real accounts, with real people involved; many of them experiencing real pain.
In addition to the pain of the family, this story also includes some trouble for Jesus. Not everyone who heard the testimony of Lazarus’ resurrection was happy about it. Some of went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. The chief Priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. They were afraid that Jesus was going to disrupt their cozy, comfortable, and spiritually dead way of life. One of them, Caiphas, the High Priest that year, spoke up. He said, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” This is where we pick up our text. “So from that day on they plotted to take his life.”
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s look at it from two perspectives:
From the perspective of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus:
1. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but God can still get the glory out of it.
2. When God brings you through a storm, share your testimony, so He can get the glory.
3. Learn from other people’s experiences so you don’t have to experience all the pain yourself.
4. It’s never too late for God… there is nothing too hard for Him!
5. Whatever God permits to enter the arena of your life, He has purpose wrapped up in!
From the perspective of Jesus and the Sanhedrin:
1. In this world we are going to have to deal with trouble and troublesome people (John 16:33).
2. Not everyone that is IN the church is OF the church.
3. Religion without relationship can be very destructive.
4. Their poison can’t stop your purpose!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this mini-series. I have learned a great deal from the pain of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. I don’t have to experience this type of pain myself. I will trust You, even when it seems like You are taking longer than I expected. I will continue to hold on, in faith, no matter how long it takes. It’s never too late and it’s never too hard for You. And when You bring the breakthrough I will testify of it everywhere I go. I am not ashamed of You and I will tell of Your goodness daily; fully understanding that everyone is not going to be happy about it. I will pick up my share of ‘haters’ along the way, but their poison can’t stop my purpose, so I will keep on pressing no matter how hard they push back! Forward ever, backward never! The best is yet to come in my life! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
