Morning Moments

Isn't it sad that when God does something for man there are always those who wish to stop it? Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead and you would think that everybody would have been absolutely thrilled - but it was the frosting on the cake for those who did not want to give up their religion for righteousness. Those who preferred their power to this itinerant preacher from Nazareth boiled with determination to get rid of this threat to their comfort zone.

The account is found in John 11:45-57 - Consider two main thoughts with me.

The Trust Jesus Inspired - verse 45 says, "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him."

Jesus said that Lazarus' death was for the glory of God, but how is God glorified? John 15:8 answers that question - "And herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit...." That is precisely what is happening here. It is why Jesus did this resurrection miracle on his friend. Fact is, it is why Jesus did all the miracles - not so folks would just be healed, but that folks would believe IN Him.

Now notice -

The Trouble Jesus Initiated -

How tragic that good would initiate such hatred as it did, but that's just the way it is. It was Jesus Himself who said, "I came not to bring peace on earth, but a sword...." The Sword is to divide. He divides good from evil. The strange thing about people (and we learn it as children), is that there are those who can't wait to run tell. How sad! Note -

The Report in verse 46 - "But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done."

Isn't it interesting - to whom them reported? They did not go publish the good news of the grace of God. Rather they went to the enemies of Jesus to stir up trouble. when will we learn to spot such people. "I heard so and so" they say. "Have you heard what went on at church yesterday?" Their intent is to hinder and hurt so they find others with ill intent to tell.

Okay, okay, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. These folks were so thrilled that they went straight to the Pharisees as witnesses to the wonderful works of Jesus. I can live with this, BUT, they cast their pearls before swine and we are told not to do that.

Now note the reaction in verse 47 - "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles." There is nothing wrong with the report, but the reprobates to whom they reported - that's a different story. Maybe we see the first committee meeting in this text. It was a closed session devoted to doing something about that pesky preacher from Nazareth who was breaking up their party.

We shall continue this tomorrow -

SHALOM