March 19
Bible Reading: John 12:9-11
John 12:10, “So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.”
Lazarus had been dead and lying in a cave for four days. But then, by His mere word, Jesus called him forth. It was an amazing miracle that testified clearly to the identity and glory of Jesus (John 11:40). There were many witnesses: “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him” (John 11:45). But there were two different responses, as some believed and some who refused to accept the truth.
The miraculous raising of Lazarus was a problem for the religious leaders. A great multitude sought after Lazarus (John 12:9). And “the crowd that had been with (Jesus) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness” (John 12:17). The word regarding Jesus was spreading.
So, the religious leaders met together and came up with a plan. Kill Lazarus. Put him back in a tomb. Put a stop to his living testimony regarding Christ. Stop the word from spreading. Stop people from believing in Him. It mattered not what the truth was. They hated the light. The Light revealed things about them they didn’t want disclosed. He was a threat to their livelihood and power. Instead of accepting the clear testimony borne by the miracle, they plotted to kill Lazarus!
They eventually managed to kill Jesus. They set a stone and a seal over his tomb and placed a Roman guard in place to keep the Light extinguished. Their evil deed accomplished; the religious leaders rested. But the Light escaped. The religious leaders assembled, took counsel, and bribed the soldiers to lie about what happened (Matthew 28:11-15). But then Jesus rose from the dead and that truth spread around that world!
Lazarus lived. Jesus now lives. Nothing can change the truth. You can try to shut up or lock up those who bear witness to the truth, “but the Word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9)! And not all will hate the Light. Some hear the truth of the gospel—the power of God unto salvation—and believe (Romans 1:16). They come into the light and rejoice in His glory!
“When men hate Christ, they also hate those whom he has blessed, and will go to any lengths in seeking to silence their testimony.”—Charles Spurgeon
WORSHIP CHRIST THE RISEN KING
Rise O Church and lift your voices
Christ has conquered death and hell
Sing as all the earth rejoices
Resurrection anthems swell
Come and worship come and worship
Worship Christ the Risen King
See the tomb where death had laid Him
Empty now its mouth declares
Death and I could not contain Him
For the throne of life He shares
Come and worship come and worship
Worship Christ the Risen King
Hear the earth protest and tremble
See the stone removed with pow’r
All hell’s minions may assemble
But cannot withstand His hour
He has conquered He has conquered
Christ the Lord the Risen King
Doubt may lift its head to murmur
Scoffers mock and sinners jeer
But the truth proclaims a wonder
Thoughtful hearts receive with cheer
He is risen He is risen
Now receive the Risen King
We acclaim Your life O Jesus
Now we sing Your victory
Sin or hell may seek to seize us
But Your conquest keeps us free
Stand in triumph stand in triumph
Worship Christ the Risen King
LookingtoJesus 