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The Journey of Believing
Rod ShimabukuroSo the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. John 12:10-11
Jesus earlier raises Lazarus from the dead with his sisters present and many others. Many Jews were beginning to believe in Jesus. They were believing because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The signs Jesus performed were a part of His ministry, being used by God to show that His Son is deity. I see a connection the John is making between the resurrection of Lazarus and Jesus life, death and resurrection.
The Pharisees were threatened by Jesus and wanted to put Him and now Lazarus to death.
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. [18] The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. [19] So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” John 12:17-19
Look at the type of authority and persuasion that Pharisees had on other Synagogue authorities.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:42-43
The believing theme of John is one that swells in my heart - to keep growing in believing. I’m not done believing. My salvation is not yet complete in terms of growing in my faith and relationship with Jesus my Savior. He’s my Savior then in Feb. 1981 and He continues to be - as I work out my salvation, growing in worshipful understanding in who my Savior Jesus is!
To live differently is to share my faith with others who are in whatever journey they are. The guy who is plastered with tattoos at the gym and the store clerk I often say hi too. They and many more God allows me to be in contact with need Christ. May I be a step in some way, in their journey to believe and grow in believing in Jesus!
Dear Jesus and Spirit of God
Thanks for all you are doing my life - to help me to grow in my faith. To grow in believing and this confident trust that I’m experiencing. Thank you fort opening my heart to Your Holy Word! I believe and help me to be a witness to those around me - as I pray they begging to believe in You!
