John 12:10-11 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
Lazarus was a living testimony of who Jesus is, the Resurrection and Life. Remember, Lazarus was dead, and Christ raised him from the dead and brought him back to life.
Now get this: Suddenly Lazarus was a huge threat to the religious leaders back in the day, because Scripture says many Jews then believed in Jesus because He raised Lazarus back to life.
As I read this familiar story of the meal in Bethany where Lazarus was present with Jesus after his resurrection, it struck me afresh how every believer in Christ will actually also be a threat to those who cling to religion and religiosity, rather than to Jesus, who is the reason we are no longer dead in sin but alive unto God.
Even though believers in Christ are made spiritually alive in Christ to this day, the result of what we read happened because of Lazarus; being raised to life, points forward to how our lives will also be interpreted today.
You see, other people get to witness us being alive in Christ, our lives being a testimony of someone who was dead in sin but now alive in Christ, may then also be like those Jews who then started to believe in Jesus. Others though, will do the opposite, they will feel threatened, especially those who hold firmly onto religious practices and works as their saving grace.
Living like a brand-new person in Christ (because of His doing – not your own efforts) don't sit well with many people. The religious leaders back in the day after Lazarus was brought back to life, is a clear example of this – it threatened their religion.
And behind it all, sat the enemy, who tothis day can’t stand people's lives being changed from dead to alive in Christ.
Nothing and noone can do what only Jesus can do in you, and that’s why it should not surprise is, even in this day and age, when some see us, the faithful in Christ, as a threat.
But remember - you may only witness the opposition, but behind the scenes people may be drawn to Christ when you unashamedly live and move and have your being in Him, who also made us alive and raised us up in a new life!
Amen