On The Hit List

But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,  because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.  John 12:10-11

For all the words Lazarus spoke in the Bible, he may have been a mute. And yet, it is recorded in the scripture that he held a powerful testimony. Lazarus knew what it was like to live under the condemnation of a powerful group of persons in the Jewish life and religion. Those same chief priests would succeed in bringing Jesus to trial before them and in setting Him up to be killed by the Roman authority. Lazarus, having spent four days in the grave, may have cared not a bit what the chief priests thought they could do. Jesus told Pilate that the governor's power over Him was given, and as we see from the resurrection - temporary. 

Therefore, we who believe in and belong to Christ, like our brother Lazarus, should have no concern for what the world thinks it can do to us. If persecution and death are allowed by the Lord, then praise and glory to Him. If we are to live for a while here on this earth testifying to the glory of God with or without words, then that will come to pass as the Lord our God wills. Because if the Imperial Roman authority only had power over our Lord Jesus briefly, and the chief religious authorities only had power in this life over Lazarus, and the grave only had power over Lazarus and our Lord for such a short time, then truly the One we want to know is the One who holds the authority to grant those moments of power. And now that all authority has been given to Jesus in Heaven and on Earth, then that man seems a great place to start! 

Have a powerful day in Christ our Lord!

Bucky