Kill Lazarus?!?!

Yesterday we saw Jesus’ Acceptance of Mary’s offering, today we continue learning in John 12:9-11.

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

I read these words and I was stunned. How have I missed these verses all my life?  I KNOW I’ve read them before but I was stunned to read that the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus because too many people were believing in Jesus as a result of Lazarus’ resurrection. 

I can totally see people heading out to see Jesus and Lazarus.  After-all that kind of news is a bit of a stunner eh?  Therefore crowds would be drawn in.   They’d want to see the living proof and they’d want to know what Jesus was up.

But the chief priests?  There sole desire… stop people from believing in Jesus.  Ergo… kill Lazarus, that will help solve the problem. 

It’s horrible you know?  Even though I’m understanding their reasoning, it’s still horrible that men sworn to serve God their whole lives are plotting to kill people. it just sets wrong you know?

My Take Home?

Honestly I dunno.  I’m just stunned here is all.  The murderous chief priests… I just want to slap them all, I want to remind them of their first calling. 

Oh hold on… maybe that’s my take home.

Do I remember my first calling?  Do I ever get distracted or sidetracked from remembering the Lord?  I’m shamed to admit it, I do.  I get sidetracked.  I forget my first love, my first calling and I start seeing all these other things.

Like the chief priests forgetting their service to the Lord in the quest to save the Israelite nation from the Romans all because of the threat of one man…the Son of God.    Stop that threat, save the nation, return to serving God.  That would be the order of the day for them.  (at least in my eyes).

But God’s order is a bit different isn’t it?

Remember him first and then let the rest play out as it should.  Easier said then done, but doing what is good and right isn’t for the faint of heart is it?