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What To Do With Lazarus - John 12
What To Do With Lazarus - John 12
John writes: “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:42–43).
“Many believed in Him”. WHY? Because of the signs which He did (vs. 11, 17-18, 26). In particular John points out that people were believing Jesus was the Christ BECAUSE He had raised Lazarus from the dead. Facts are difficult things to ignore. Imagine KNOWING that Lazarus was there - eating, sleeping, walking in the street, and living life as usual; yet there were many who witnessed the fact that he had died, was buried, had stayed in the tomb for days, and THEN was made alive again. What do you do with him? How do you deal with this situation. This is not an ‘argument’, this is a simple living fact.
Again the obvious thing to do is believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (20:30-31). Some were so obstinate in their unbelief that they refused to believe even the obvious facts. Others were convinced by the signs and ‘believed in Him’.
Jesus however elevated such belief to discipleship: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (12:26). Believers were to follow Him even to the point of dying for such faith (vs. 25). He even warned that those who hear His word not only must believe in Him but must keep (obey, follow) His teaching or face judgment (vs. 48).
‘Even of the authorities’ many believed BUT… While many believed, John points out that many others of the authorities had determined to kill Lazarus, Jesus, and anyone that was a follower of Jesus! First century discipleship was a challenge. Many, as those in verses 42-43 simply failed.
This Jesus whom they ‘believed in’ also warned that “… everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32–33).
Belief in the facts about Jesus must become conviction and discipleship. Hearing his teaching must become keeping / doing. Such trust may not bring glory and approval from men, but it will bring glory and approval from God. What will you do with Lazarus?
Hugh DeLong
