Truth Matters

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.”

In an otherwise theology-rich chapter, involving some great teaching by Jesus, this verse seemed to me to reach right into our day and age. So forgive me if the verse itself seems a bit gloomy, rather it should be found encouraging. OK, I’ll explain my thinking.

Jesus is having a meal in Bethany, after having healed Lazarus and leaving for a while. He is back in town now, and Lazarus is there, eating with Him and the group including His disciples. It can almost be read as sort of “ho-hum” if we are not careful. Lazarus was dead for four days. Jesus raised him back to earthly life, and it’s not a secret. Friends, neighbors, relatives, and the disciples themselves know it. They can see Lazarus alive and well!

So could the chief priests. Never do they deny that Lazarus was dead and then alive again. Nor do they deny that Jesus was the reason. Rather, they want Lazarus dead, too, because there were Jews believing in Jesus as a result. When faced with the truth, Jesus’ opponents resort to plotting murder. They are so caught up in themselves and their lofty religious positions that they will inwardly deny the outworking of the Messiah. To these chief priests, concerned with stature, Jesus represents the opposite of them, and they cannot tolerate that option.

Friends, if you have taken a stand for the truth, or if you feel you need to do so, and if you can confidently say that you did or will go about that endeavor in the same manner as Jesus did, then be prepared for some pushback, some opposition from those who hate Christ. The world around us simply cannot stand the truth, even if it should be so very clear. Lazarus was living proof of the power of God, in the form of Jesus Christ, and the world around him responded by saying “yeah, yeah, kill him”.

Each and every day, Jesus calls all to come to Him (12:32), and when a lost soul accepts that call, a new life is created, and those around that new life should see the change. When Jesus gets the credit, some will believe, and others will scoff. Like in Lazarus’s day, things haven’t changed much.

Stay in the fight. Truth matters!