Which one are you?
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also. John 12:10
Here we go again. The Pharisees and the chief priests are up to no good once again. Now they are plotting to kill Lazarus who just got back from the dead. Again, they were jealous and afraid because now even more people were leaving the priests and following Jesus.
As I have been going through the gospels and now through the book of John, I noticed a recurring theme. There are the same groups of people in almost every account that we read. In fact, the same kind of people are around even today. Let me explain.
First of all there is Jesus, the Savior of the world and the One who loves us all. The One who died, raised up from the dead, ascended in to heaven and sits at the right hand of God for ever. Then there are the disciples who follow after Jesus and do the work of His ministry, doing the things that Jesus leads them to. The next group are those coming to see and hear Jesus. Most of them do not know Him yet but have heard of Him and are curious. Then there are the people that are sick, oppressed, blind or lame. These have heard of the miracles through a testimony and also want to receive His healing and salvation. Lastly, there are the religious ones. Those who are trying to keep control and rule over the Jewish people.
So now, I am asking myself, which one of these am I today? I know I am not Jesus and although I do come to Him with trouble and sickness sometimes, I believe I am a disciple. I hope to be a help to Him in the ministry of the Kingdom of Heaven. I tell others of His love and goodness. I spread the news about the provision He has made for all to be saved and I spend time worshiping and learning from Him each day. I do go to hear teaching at church each week, but I am not there to just observe objectively. I am all in and want to have and encounter with Him in the corporate setting as well as in my one-on-one time with Him.
There is one more group that I didn’t list with the others. That is the many that had no interest in God whatsoever. They didn’t come out to see Jesus and they didn’t even go the priests when they needed something. This is the crowd that believes they can handle it all on their own and take life as it comes at them.
Now I want to encourage you to decide which one you are. I already know you are not Jesus and hopefully you do too. Are you a disciple that is walking with Him each day of your life? Or are you with the bunch who only shows up when there is a problem or pain that you need help with? Maybe you are part of the assembly of religious leaders that are always looking for what people are doing wrong and trying to get them to do what you think is right for them. Hopefully, you are not part of the crowd that doesn’t even think about it. Decide today where you are right now and then begin to take steps closer to Him each day. If you are already a disciple, take a step closer by spending quiet time with Him each day and then going regularly to a local church and serving. If you are among those who only come to Him when there is a struggle or problem, break free from that bond by enjoying time in His presence each day in the good times and the bad. Begin interceding for others who may be hurting and sharing your testimony with the lost. If you are of the religious sect that only wants to criticize, condemn and complain about those around you? Turn around today and confess that you need to fill up your life with the love of God so that you can share it with others. Lastly, if you just don’t care anything about the spiritual part of life but are reading the daily dose, I would ask that you continue to read each day to begin to realize the importance of finding out the purpose of your existence here in this world. We only get one life to live! Let’s be determined to live as closely to Him as we possibly can. When you are at home and wherever you go.
Today’s scripture reading: John 12:9-11
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
The Daily Dose 