John the apostle 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”, and in chapter twelve and verse nine of his book John shared how, “much of the people … came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there:” John began with the words, “much people” which means “a lot or great number of people both male and female” “of the Jews” or “belonging to the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion” “therefore knew that he was there” which means “then and wherefore understood, perceived and discovered that Jesus was in that place and location”. John shared how a good number of people perceived that Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
The verse goes on to say, “and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.” John continued with the words, “and they came not” which means “and the people did not arise, appear and come forth” “for Jesus' sake only” or “because and on account of the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation”, “but that they might see Lazarus also” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover that people could observe and behold even so and indeed Lazarus whose name means whom God helps”, “whom he had raised” or “that Jesus resurrected and arose” “from the dead” which means “separate and apart from the inanimate, expired and lifeless”. John shared how the people who came to where Jesus was located were there because they desired to see Jesus and Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how people became aware of the location of Jesus, and they went to see Him and Lazarus whom He resurrected from the dead. People wondered if Jesus would come to the feast in Jerusalem, however, he stopped by “Martha, Mary and Lazarus' home” in “Bethany”. “Bethany” was only a short distance from Jerusalem, so people traveled to see Him and Lazarus. The interest of the people in Jesus was heightened, and many wanted to see Him and the miracle He performed in Lazarus. God knows people are interested in the “supernatural”, and He sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world. Everyone who not only “observes” Jesus but also puts their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Let all who read these words not only be “interested” in Jesus, but also yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time John shares how, “the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death”, 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".
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