Abide Together: Reflections on John 11

In John 11, Jesus found out that His good friend, Lazarus, was sick.  Jesus purposely waits 2 days before beginning the journey to Bethany.  When He arrives, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days.  Martha says that if Jesus would have been there Lazarus would not have died.  Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will never die.” Jesus then heals Lazarus and many of the Jews believed in Him, but other went to the Pharisees to report what He did.  The Pharisees made a plan to kill Jesus.  The thing that sticks out to me this morning is when the Pharisees heard about Jesus raising Lazarus they said, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs.  If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” The Pharisees were not concerned about what God was doing, but instead they were fearful of losing their positions and power.  They were self seeking and self worshippers, therefore they feared man rather than God.  Lord, may I always be a true worshipper of You and be focused on Your Plan and Your glory and not my own.

– Bryan McKenzie