A Lesson from Lazarus

Reposted from September 2023

“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.”
John 12:9-11

Poor Lazarus.
I mean if ever there was a man who should have had it made, it should have been Lazarus.

He had everything going for him.
He was a friend of Jesus.
He got so sick that he died, and after four days he was brought back to life by his friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a story!

So, all of these people who heard about the resurrection of Lazarus show up at a dinner party one night.
They want to see what a “formerly dead man” looks and sounds like.

I can just imagine the questions they’re asking each other as they press in to see him…

“How’s his appetite?”
“Is he acting strange?”
“Does he look healthy?”
“Is he different at all?”
“What does he say about death?”
“What did he experience?”

But would you believe that there were some people there who sought to destroy Lazarus simply because his testimony brought people to Christ?
How EVIL is that?!

Rather than rejoice with a man who experienced an obvious miracle and rose from the dead, the chief priests plotted with hearts of jealousy AGAINST Lazarus!

“This little stunt pulled people away from us and they became followers of Jesus.
Let’s kill Lazarus AND Jesus.”

This is a perfect example of the depravity of man. They would actually have killed Lazarus AGAIN simply because people were looking at CHRIST more than THEM.

We’re all susceptible to jealousy and envy. Make sure to keep those emotions in check.
One of the best ways to do this is to rejoice with those who are rejoicing.

Be happy when others are blessed.
Remember that you’re blessed, too.

If you have Christ, you have all that you’ll ever need for eternity.

“God, please help me to rejoice with the joyful, only exalt Christ, and never exalt myself.”