And the stage was set...
Questions or rather charges kept coming: “tell us plainly. Tell us plainly who you are and where you come from! Are you the One? Can you show us something?” Yes, the animosity was high and rank amongst the peculiar stewards. No answer would suffice their carnal desire. Their hearts had already been prepped for one thing and they would not rest until it was met. They gathered at Jerusalem with the feast of dedication, Hanukkah, and it was the winds of winter upon them (John 10: 22- 38 KJV). The Jewish leaders were thrilled with the prospect of putting Him in the ground. It couldn’t happen fast enough. Madness had consumed the Jewish leaders. Their attempts to suppress, smack down, and squash his fame had failed miserably. Every time they had their hands on Him to toss Him off the temple mount or pelt Him with stones, He eluded their grasp (Luke 4: 28-30; John 10: 39 KJV). Jesus’ work was not yet finished...
Now Spring had entered the realm and with the blossom of fresh buds came the feast of Passover. The Lord did not want to be found outside of town for this last feast He would enjoy with his brethren. But as God would have it, a messenger delivered a dire letter from some close friends of His. The one whom He loved had fallen ill and would soon be resting the eternal sleep (John 11 KJV). But Jesus was in no hurry to leave where he was. He knew.
In His purpose a greater glory is always revealed. While in the eyes of man, we see through a dirty glass the clarity of God’s ways and desires. We interpret and listen but in the end, we are measured for a particular duty. But the One who had the Spirit without measure was on the ground and nothing was outside His scope. Part of the job of the Holy Spirit is to teach us in all things. We are to spend time learning and listening in His Presence. Its there we learn new ways! Have you ever studied the ways to get to 25? Most of us will use some basic math skills and add our way there, 1 + 4 + 9 + 11 = 25. Others who’ve studied further will multiply 5 x 5 = 25. Both are correct, but one way is a bit faster process. This is what the Holy Spirit can do when we are in tune with Him.
After multiple attempts to quell the Lord’s work, the leaders heard rumors of a new miracle and all of Jerusalem was catching wind. They feared Rome would remove them! The pedaling feet of gossip was carrying the breath of change fast this morning. Jesus had left the big city and landed in Bethany where his good friend had died of an illness four days prior. The mood was somber and Jesus had hung on the edges of town to meet up with his dear friends: Mary and Martha... But as the story was told, with a nod to the heavens and a bit of gratitude, Jesus thanked His Father and then spoke the words. “Lazarus come forth.” And he that was dead came forward (John 11: 17 – 44 KJV).
Fighting against the wind can be futile, but fighting against God can land you in the hospital. Jacob, after wrestling with the Lord, walked with a limp the remainder of his days (Genesis 32: 28- 32). Hearing this extraordinary story caused the chambers to gasp. Their control over this man, Jesus, was nonexistent. Causing the High Priest to prophesy that the Lord should die for the nation and others so all would not be lost (John 11: 51-52 KJV).
Falling further into this lurking madness, the chief priest and leaders could not let what happened in Bethany to happen in their most holy city of Jerusalem. The direction they were driven led straight for the hill of skulls, Golgotha. And if they could throw in Lazarus, then so be it (John 12: 10-11 KJV). Passover was but several days away and a time would be presenting itself to capture the sacrificial Lamb of God.
Have you ever laid in bed at night and pulled the blankets over your head? Then when all light is barricaded you turn on the flashlight and find a world unto you and no one else. If you pull back the blanket and place the flashlight against it, you see that spot begin to glow. You can slide it around and the effect changes as it hits different colors and thicknesses. When Jesus called Lazarus from the dead, He placed a flashlight on under the blanket of darkness that the people had been living in. It hit too close to home for the leaders of the synagogue and drove them to snuff out the light-bearer.
Today when you hear of all the stories going on, take a moment and ask the Lord to shed some light into this darkness that seems to be exposed. All to often we can get caught up in the madness and fight against God’s purpose. We can’t be just a Sunday based church anymore. There are 6 days left in the week where light needs to be fused in. You are the light-bearer wherever you are. So be ready!
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. As I’ve been reading through the book of John recently, this story seemed to step up from the pages with greater clarity than before. I could probably talk on it for an hour, but will settle for a simple journeyman letter. Stay the madness that is forever lurking. It divides. Have a blessed day and summer!
· Luke 4: 28-30 KJV “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.”
· John 10: 22 KJV “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.”
· John 10: 39 KJV “Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand...”
· John 11: 17 KJV “Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.”
· John 11: 42- 44 KJV “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
· John 11: 51 KJV “And this spake he not himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;”
· John 12: 10-11 KJV “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.”
· Genesis 32: 28, 31 KJV “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.”
Comments