![]() ![]() Tradition-not the Bible-indicates that Lazarus fled Judea after the resurrection of Christ, arriving in Kition on Cyprus, becoming a bishop. Scripture does not tell us whether the plot to kill Lazarus succeeded. Now, rather than accept a miracle, Jesus' enemies are willing to assassinate an innocent man, because his existence is inconvenient. Jesus' critics have already proven they are willing to ignore miracles (John 5:10 Mark 3:22), and Scripture (John 5:39–40), and the testimony of others (John 9:30–34). For some people, there is no such thing as "enough evidence," because their minds are already made up. How a person responds to evidence is decided-first and foremost-by their own sincerity. Those who were there in person to see and hear Jesus had access to all those moments, plus countless other forms of evidence (John 21:25). The gospel of John was written to catalog evidence that Jesus is divine (John 20:30–31). Incidents such as this demonstrate that problem in graphic terms. The problem is not a lack of proof (Romans 1:18–20 Psalm 19:1), but a lack of willingness to believe. Scripture often points out that "lack of evidence" is never a valid excuse for rejecting God. That hatred is so strong that the same men, labelled here as the "chief priests," will seek to have Lazarus killed, as well. ![]() What should have been the most obvious proof became their most hated incident. In fact, their resolve to murder Jesus was only strengthened when He raised Lazarus. Despite all the evidence Jesus has given them, they stubbornly refuse to accept the truth (John 5:39–40). The local religious leaders, however, have already committed themselves to having Jesus killed (John 11:53). That leads many to accept that Jesus is divine and empowered with God's will (John 12:11). Of course, they find that Lazarus, who was dead for four days and being publicly mourned (John 11:31), is alive again (John 12:9). As a result, many of the people who normally followed those religious leaders-referred to by John as "the Jews"-have come to Bethany to see if the rumors are true. And, He did it right in the faces of His most ardent critics, only two miles away in Jerusalem (John 11:18). When Jesus raised Lazarus from death (John 12:1), He did so in front of a large crowd of witnesses (John 11:38–44). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |