Sunday 26th March
Read John 12:9-11
“Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.” (NIVUK)
The resurrection of Lazarus challenged the authority of the religious leaders. It undermined the allegiance the Jews had towards the old ways. John is preparing us for the passion week. He has made it clear already that Jesus was to be eliminated, also in response to the raising of Lazarus (John 11:53). Now he makes it even more clear that the miraculous raising of Lazarus was the act for which Jesus was condemned, before the trial, for it led people away from the Jewish faith and shifted their allegiance to Jesus.
The cold-hearted calculation in their hearts is shocking. John casually informs us that they made plans to kill Lazarus as well. Information likely gained later from Nicodemus (?). One can’t help but feel for Lazarus. Dying so that Jesus could raise him, only to have a death sentence passed because Jesus raised him. Yet Lazarus’ fate is the fate that Jesus promises all those who follow him. If the life that Jesus grants is found in us, then opposition will arise because it leads people away from the ways of the world.
This public condemnation to death, as a spectacle that fascinates the world and attracts a crowd of onlookers, is also described in Revelation. “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city – which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt – where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.” (Revelation 11:7-10) (NIVUK). The fate of the witnesses to the life of Jesus is the same as their Lord (v8c). Lazarus is a model for all of us.
But the promise held out to us, Jesus’ witnesses, is equally amazing: “But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.” (Revelation 11:11) (NIVUK). The spirit of God revives them and calls them home. Just as it does us. Resurrection hope and power indeed!
