This morning I am going back to John's Gospel, to the aftermath of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This was not an insignificant event, and was in many ways responsible for the culmination of Jesus' purpose, for it was after this that the Pharisees started platting in earnest to kill Him. Here are some verses that describe the situation - John 11:45, 47-48, 54-57 NIV:
[45] "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him."
[47] Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. [48] If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
[54] Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
[55] When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. [56] They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?” [57] But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him."
Continuing on into the next chapter - John 12:1-2, 9-13, 17-19, 37 NIV:
[1] "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. [2] Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
[9] Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. [10] So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, [11] for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
[12] The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. [13] They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
[17] Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. [18] Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. [19] So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
[37] Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him."
I know that is quite a few verses to work through, but overall they paint a picture of the scene that was unfolding immediately after the raising of Lazarus from the dead. It is clear that Lazarus, Martha and Mary were people of significance, just from the number of people that had gathered to mourn for Lazarus after he died. It is because these people were all gathered and believed in Him that Jesus' impact on the nation was increasing.
I find the response of the Pharisees and chief priests completely understandable, for they recognized that their positions of power were in danger. Their unbelief appeared to have more to do with politics and power than it did with anything else. If there was ever a good example of how the spirit behind politics and religion is not from God, this situation exemplifies it. Instead of rejoicing that the Messiah had come, the one they had been waiting hundreds of years to see, they are concerned about losing "our temple and our nation" (John 11:48). The very thing the people were longing for, the leaders feared. A new order, a new Kingdom would threaten their positions of power and influence and they we determined to put a stop to this.
I think this is a great example of the "old wine-skin" mentality. They were unwilling to look at the new opportunities, the new life that was being breathed into their nation, they only saw how it would destroy their world. I believe that this is the reason many moves of God are quenched, not from lack of desire on the people's part, but rather the fear of losing power and influence that comes from the present people in power and with influence. So often we see the very people who should be jumping in whole-heartedly, instead casting doubt on any new "move of God". They want the move of God, but they want it under their control and influence. Anytime large numbers of existing congregations get caught up in believing God for more, I think the leadership is tempted to pull back on the reins so they can keep things "under control", meaning under their control. They use all sorts of fine sounding arguments about protecting the people, the church, and steering wide of trouble, but at the end of the day, they are killing that which the Holy Spirit is birthing.
When God comes in power, revealing His presence and heart through the miraculous, people are moved, people believe! This is exactly what we long for, what we look for, a people embracing God and His interactions in their lives. God is glorified through this all, and people begin to realize that there is more to their faith than just going to service once a week. The Jews were all stirred up and everyone was talking about Jesus. They can't even wait for Him to arrive in Jerusalem, instead they rush out to meet Him as He is making His way into the city. They cry out praises to God, they proclaim Jesus as the King, for they have seen with their own eyes the miracles He did in their midst. The people longed for the coming of the Messiah, and now that He was there in their midst they ran to Him. What an awesome environment that must have been, people cheering, people waving, all believing that Jesus was from God!
I look forward to the day the church experiences the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in such ways again! People will be moved, and people will believe, and I am sure that some large number of existing leaders will instead try to kill the move of God because it doesn't fit their agenda. Lord, we pray for mercy, we pray for Your guidance, and we pray that the men You entrust with leadership will bring the people to You, the true source of life, rather than trying to shut down the move. Lord help us to all have hearts that are for You and for Your ways, even if it threatens our agendas and ideas and position.
I have heard recently that some of the prophetic voices are speaking about a coming revival wave that will hit the church (See - http://www.generals.org/articles/single/prophetic-encouragement-for-fall-2015/). If this is the case, then my prayer for the church and specifically for its leaders, is that we will embrace the revival, this out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, as well as the grace, mercy and compassion of the Lord. I pray the the leaders will be the first to run out and welcome the Lord when He comes. I pray that the political and religious powers will be shaken and the Kingdom of God established! I pray that God will be glorified and many who don't know God will come to believe!
Amen!
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