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Monday, February 10, 2020

BUT HE WASN’T THERE

John 11

He was not there when Lazarus died.  When Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead much is made of "if you had been here Lazarus would not have died".  By both sisters, by the people, and by Jesus himself when he said for the disciples sakes he was glad he was not here there (see verse 15).  This was for the intent that they should believe.  When he raised Lazarus, it was for the people to see and believe.  He said, “. . . that they may believe that thou [the Father] hast sent me".  This is another miracle done to demonstrate that Jesus is the son of God.  Some believed and some did not.  Why did they not believe?  Because they did not accept that his power was coming from God.  In the perceiving of him they always were biased for some other way of thinking. 

Why was he not there?  To allow Lazarus to die.  If Jesus had been there, a sick man – not a dead man - would have been healed.  Some would have said "he was sick and just got well, he would have recovered even if Jesus were not there."  By rising him from the dead he demonstrated miraculous power. 

Many judged Jesus’ deeds, what he did, by what they already had in their minds.  They had preconceptions and biases.  I suppose we always judge things by the knowledge, history and experience we have in our minds.  This the Pharisees did - and did it wrong.  We know this because they came out against the son of God. 

We must be careful how we judge others.  On one hand we don't want to use wrong concepts, like the Pharisees.  On the other hand, "my sheep hear my voice , and I know them, and they follow Me"