In John 12:10-11, the plan of the chief priests to counter the increasing number of Jews believing in Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead is full of irony and desperation!
John 12:9–11 — 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. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
They knew beyond doubt that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:44). They knew that Jesus said He Himself would rise from the dead (Matt 27:62-63). So what is their plan? The best they can come up with is to kill both of them! Psalm 2:1-4 records the rebellion of the mighty among both Jews and Gentiles against God's and His Son's reign over them, and notes that God laughs at them and holds them in derision. Then the Father states that He will nevertheless install His King on Zion, His holy hill!
The Lord of life has authority to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:17-18), and gives life to whomever He pleases (John 5:21). Seen in this light, all the strategies of God's enemies to thwart His plans are futile and indeed laughable - He will build His church, and the gates of Hades shall not overcome it! That is why Psalm 2 concludes by advising the earthly Kings and rulers (and by extension, all who live on the earth) to kiss the Son - to make peace with the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's before He returns in judgment!
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
01 - Resurrection and Life!
I thought I would share a few reflections from my readings a few days back, which included John 11:1-44 and Ephesians 1:15-22 - two special passages in God's Word!
In John 11, I imagined Mary and Martha's situation, having lost Lazarus. All the uncertainty and anxiety, doubt and questioning that this event must have brought upon them.
From their perspective, Jesus arrives four days too late to do anything. From His perspective, He deliberately makes Himself late because he loved them (v5-6)
From their perspective, if He had been physically present, Lazarus wouldn't have died. From His perspective, He knows full well what is happening and has already shown in this Gospel that He doesn't have to be present in order to heal (4:46-54).
Martha struggled to understand Him when He said "I am the Resurrection and the Life" - supposing that He meant this applied only to the last day. Jesus had already declared that He is the One who has life in Himself (5:26).
So Jesus demonstrates that He is the Resurrection and the Life by bringing Lazarus out of the tomb. Some think he must have floated out, since His hands and feet were still bound by the grave clothes and had to be unwrapped! Amazing power! There is a story about the young Martyn Lloyd-Jones in a Sunday school class studying John 11. The teacher asked why Jesus had said, "Lazarus, come out!" He put up his hand and said, "if He hadn't said, 'Lazarus, come out,' they would all have come out!” So true!
Turning to Ephesians 1 and especially v15-22, we discover that the power of God that is at work in us today as believers is "according to the working of His great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" - it is resurrection power!
Paul will go on to point out in Ephesians 2:1-10 that we were dead in transgressions and sins but that because of His great love for us, and by grace alone, God raised us up together with Christ, and seated us also in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!!
This is such a word of comfort and assurance this morning! Jesus knows what is happening in our lives, and even when we may not feel him to be present and may not understand, He is working out of love for us, with our highest good as his focus! It was because He loved Mary and Martha that He let them experience the temporary loss of Lazarus and to witness his resurrection power in bringing him back.
He is Lord of all, author and sustainer of life. He weeps over what sin has done in His creation but He is powerful to raise and powerful to save, giving to all his children a hope and a future!
In John 11, I imagined Mary and Martha's situation, having lost Lazarus. All the uncertainty and anxiety, doubt and questioning that this event must have brought upon them.
From their perspective, Jesus arrives four days too late to do anything. From His perspective, He deliberately makes Himself late because he loved them (v5-6)
From their perspective, if He had been physically present, Lazarus wouldn't have died. From His perspective, He knows full well what is happening and has already shown in this Gospel that He doesn't have to be present in order to heal (4:46-54).
Martha struggled to understand Him when He said "I am the Resurrection and the Life" - supposing that He meant this applied only to the last day. Jesus had already declared that He is the One who has life in Himself (5:26).
So Jesus demonstrates that He is the Resurrection and the Life by bringing Lazarus out of the tomb. Some think he must have floated out, since His hands and feet were still bound by the grave clothes and had to be unwrapped! Amazing power! There is a story about the young Martyn Lloyd-Jones in a Sunday school class studying John 11. The teacher asked why Jesus had said, "Lazarus, come out!" He put up his hand and said, "if He hadn't said, 'Lazarus, come out,' they would all have come out!” So true!
Turning to Ephesians 1 and especially v15-22, we discover that the power of God that is at work in us today as believers is "according to the working of His great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" - it is resurrection power!
Paul will go on to point out in Ephesians 2:1-10 that we were dead in transgressions and sins but that because of His great love for us, and by grace alone, God raised us up together with Christ, and seated us also in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!!
This is such a word of comfort and assurance this morning! Jesus knows what is happening in our lives, and even when we may not feel him to be present and may not understand, He is working out of love for us, with our highest good as his focus! It was because He loved Mary and Martha that He let them experience the temporary loss of Lazarus and to witness his resurrection power in bringing him back.
He is Lord of all, author and sustainer of life. He weeps over what sin has done in His creation but He is powerful to raise and powerful to save, giving to all his children a hope and a future!
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