John 12:9-11 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
It is audacious for the chief priests to threaten Lazarus with death, a man who has already been there and back again. But this overarching audacity is also part and parcel of the ways those in power work against Jesus—trying to stamp out all signs of hope, to eliminate the traces of light that Jesus leaves in his wake. Witnessing transformation, it turns out, is a dangerous thing.
As it was with Jesus and Lazarus, so too it is with us now. The powers and principalities are actively working against the way of God. We must stay vigilant and stay active, lest the Lazaruses in our midst be put to death for proclaiming miracles and good news. To find and proclaim hope is to actively fight against the death-dealing forces of the world.
MOVING FORWARD: Write a note of encouragement to your priest, pastor, therapist, counselor, or other supporting figure in your life. Thank them for the good news they share with you and the world.
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