Friday Lent 4

The Pharisees took one look and threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The world’s in a stampede after him.”

John 12:19

Not only were the Pharisees angry, the high priests were plotting to kill Lazarus because so many Jews believed in Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead.

It makes me wonder what was so special about Lazarus that God saw fit to bring him back to life? Honestly, it doesn’t sound special to die two deaths (one in which you have grave clothes on and have been laid in a dark tomb for 3 days, perhaps even rotting).

But here he was, following Jesus. I guess Lazarus wasn’t moved by dying two deaths. The encounter with Christ after he came forth out of the grave must have been incredible!

The Pharisees and high priests knew nothing of this type of encounter. If they were curious or even drawn to Jesus, their pride still ruled their life up to this point.  Who knows what took place after Christ’s death. How many were changed because of what they witnessed? We do not know, but I do know that there were times when I was stuck seeing things my way and later on, even years later, Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see a different way. This type of encounter is humbling.

Sometimes, God calls us to him through resistance.  Let’s not forget that resistance can also be an opening to God.