July 28, 2023
Shifting Loyalties
“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 (NASB)
Movies of rage, and anger are commonplace today. Any channel has them. Most movies lead to the death of someone or even groups of people who get in the way. It seems in every movie, if someone is the target of the person’s rage (for whatever reason), they get a death sentence. Anyone in the way just happens to be collateral damage. Their life is forfeit. Rage is a very dangerous emotion. It acts without concern about the consequences, or the future.
“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.” Crowds surged to Jesus knowing He was nearby (within 12 miles). With amazement they flocked to Jesus by the news of a dead man raised. All wanted to see the astonishing miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. “But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;” “This shift in the loyalty and attention of the crowds unsettled the chief priests, prompting them to broaden the scope of their plans to kill. Not only should Jesus be killed, but Lazarus as well. Since no argument could be found to deny the resurrection of Lazarus, the only remaining option was to destroy the primary evidence of that resurrection: Lazarus himself. Here the close connection between Jesus and His followers is demonstrated by their share in His fate: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (15:18).”[1] While the threat to Jesus life was already in the planning stage, one more wouldn’t hurt. Both threats could be removed in a well-executed plan. One execution; two victims. This is how rage reacts. When rage reaches the point of planning to kill a person, the second act is easier to commit to those who get in the way. Lazarus just happened to be a bi-product of Jesus’s ministry. Imagine being brought to life, only to find out someone is trying to take it again. He died the first time without malice. This time he would die by murder. I am not sure what the Jews thought would happen after they killed Lazarus. Perhaps Jesus might raise him to life a third time!
I have seen acts of rage between people over the years. I can say most of them never ended the way they thought. I remember two brothers who had been arguing over the years. The bigger brother always picked on the smaller one. Over the years violence erupted. Then it got worse. The bigger brother always came out on top, and eventually sending his brother to the emergency room. One night, the smaller brother had enough. His brother was drunk, and the same course of violence began again. He went into his room grabbed his 22-caliber rifle, and shot his brother dead. One shot; well placed. He told me in an interview he had enough. He was arrested that night for 1st degree murder. Later, the charge was downgraded to manslaughter. The mother convinced the judge to not let her lose a second son. The judge agreed. The abuse of the smaller brother came to a peak. Rage set in, and he wasn’t about to let it go any longer. The Jews were at this point too. If Lazarus was going to take away their power, prestige, and popularity, he too would become collateral damage. Folks, don’t ever let rage set in. It can always turn deadly.
[1] Dongell, J. (1997). John: a Bible commentary in the Wesleyan tradition (p. 151). Wesleyan Publishing House.