Chief Priests Wanting Lazarus Dead - John 12:10

The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always you have with you; but me you have not always. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead”, and in chapter twelve and verse ten of his book John shared how, “the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death” where we read:

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

The verse reads, “But the chief priests consulted ...” John began with the words, “but the chief priests” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the high priests” “consulted” or “deliberated and took counsel together” for the following purpose. John shared how the “high priests” “deliberated” to discuss the following action.

The verse continues, “... that they might put Lazarus also to death;” John added the words, “that they might put” which means “so the high priests could kill, destroy, extinguish and abolish” “Lazarus also to death” or “Lazarus whose name means whom God helps to destruction, depravation of spiritual life and mortal slaying”. John shared how the “high priests” consulted even so and indeed that they could “kill and destroy” “Lazarus”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders known as the chief priests” desired to “kill” Lazarus and Jesus. The testimony of Lazarus was that Jesus raised him from the dead, and this continued the adulation of Jesus for His mighty miracles. God sent His Son Jesus to the earth with powerful abilities which would identify Him as the Messiah, and anyone who understands and believes who Jesus is will be forgiven of their sins and have everlasting life with God. God loves everyone, and though others may want them “dead” because of their life changing testimony of an encounter with Jesus, their witness will not be in vain, and they will live throughout all eternity.

Next time John shares, “because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".