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Daily Devotion: John 12:9-11

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John 12:9-11    "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.  (10)  But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;  (11)  Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."

When will the world learn that they cannot do away with the Lord God Almighty?  They are still trying today to rid His influence in the world. Have you noticed that churches were closed but not the big retail stores in the year of the pandemic? It seems they think they can eliminate the influence of God by closing the doors of meeting houses. The world does not realize the building is not the church. Neither did the scribes, Pharisees, and chief priests of that day realize this fact. They felt the people would not believe in Jesus if they could get rid of Lazarus. Get rid of the visible and the rest will go away. Their religious philosophy was wrong and their attempt to rid the world of Jesus' influence was wrong.

Had they already forgotten that Lazarus had been dead once before? Did they really think they could put him to death when the will of God was for him to be alive? That was their reasoning. Let's kill Lazarus. Then we will kill Jesus. Then people will love us and follow us. What a faulty plan they had! Yes, people were there to see Lazarus as well as Jesus; but, they knew it was the ultimate power of the Lord that brought Lazarus from the grave. It was this man named Jesus Who had spoken the words, "Lazarus, come forth."

It is evident at some point they lost focus on Lazarus and made the determination they would kill Jesus and rid the world of this "newfound movement" toward God.  What a plan!  We will just kill Jesus and then we will be rid of His influence. Right? - WRONG!  I think of the beautiful words to the song by Dallas Holm:

Go ahead, drive the nails in my hands
Laugh at me where you stand
Go ahead, and say it isn't me
The day will come, when you will see!

'Cause I'll rise again
Ain't no power on earth can tie me down
Yes, I'll rise again
Death can't keep me in the ground!

Death could not keep our Lord in the ground and I say this morning that as long as we are diligent in our worship and service unto the Lord, the world cannot destroy the visible Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know this?  Jesus said the very gates of hell shall not prevail against His church.
I believe Jesus!  How about you?

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