Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is John 12:9-11.

 

“The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there;  and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.  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.”  John 12:9-11. 

 

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Lazarus had to die to be a good witness for Jesus.  We can easily infer that Lazarus was primarily a good witness, because he was an object for Jesus to demonstrate His resurrection power.  Consider that we read nothing here of Lazarus performing some great work or giving some great testimony.   

 

We may not need to die to be a good witness for Jesus, but when we suffer or feel deprived OR EVEN WHEN WE JUST FEEL DISCOURAGED ABOUT THE LACK OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, then we can still trust God to perform His work in us.  This point should be of great encouragement to us in our witness for Jesus and in our desire to feel worthwhile about ourselves and our overall “world view”.

 

I am not saying that Lazarus did not testify about Jesus;  we can certainly infer that Lazarus did testify about Jesus.  Scripture tells us that Lazarus was a friend of Jesus (for example, John 11:3 and John 11:11), and Scripture tells us a few verses later:  “So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.”  John 12:19. 

 

But, Lazarus was primarily a good witness, because he was an object for Jesus to demonstrate His resurrection power.   

 

We tend to reserve our joy for when we feel a sense of accomplishment by what we have done.  However, we should be glad by what God has done.  

 

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
         I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4.

 

“I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
         And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”  Psalm 52:9. 

 

And what was the result of Lazarus’ death and being an object of Jesus’ resurrection power?  Many of the Jews were believing in Jesus.