Today we heard about the effects of the resurrection of Lazarus in the life of the members of his community and in the ministry of Jesus.
We were told that when Jesus was told that Lazarus his friend was ill, he said “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
The illness has a purpose: the glory of God, and the glorification of the Son of God, Jesus himself.
Today, we read what happened when Jesus returned to the home of his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha in Bethany days if no weeks after.
The family and friends of Lazarus were elated of the sign and blessings they received by having Lazarus back to life. Hence, upon hearing that Jesus was in town in Bethany many people came to see him and not only him but also to see Lazarus. The resurrection of Lazarus was the buzz around the town of Bethany, which is not that far from Jerusalem, only two miles. This naturally will be led to many Jews to follow Jesus. We can understand the concern and fear of the chief priests.
The chief priests were disturbed about the implications of this new event in their society and communities. Because of Jesus, Lazarus was alive, and the evidence of his resurrection was so evident it could not be refuted. This led to the rulers of the Jews to initiate the equivalent of a contract on Lazarus’ life “because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.” Lazarus therefore became an enemy and obstacle to the Jewish “establishment,” and he must be done away with. The reaction of the Jewish leadership is an indication that they had lost all sense of spiritual truth and rationality.
Does it sound familiar? We are in the Holy Week. During the reading of the Passion of Christ according to Matthew on Palm Sunday, we see how a contract was place on Jesus’s life. We heard about the amount of venom of hatred poured on Jesus “to get rid of Him” “crucify him, crucify him”.
Can true Christian run away from conspirator and co-conspirator who want their head on a platter? Like Jesus our master, we must be ready to say, “Father if it is your will let this cup pass, but if not, you will be done.”
After thousands of years since the events of the Passion of Christ, there those who seek to destroy anyone who claims to know Jesus. Those who bring others to the Lord are always made the target for persecution and even martyrdom. Didn’t Jesus warn His Followers to expect abuse, persecution, and even death? His Infallible Words have proven true.
Have a blessed Holy Week
