The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Here, in John 12:9-11, we see that Lazarus is under pressure from the Jewish leaders. His resurrection was bringing attention to Jesus. Many were going to Jesus because of Lazarus. He then became a man with a target on his head.
The genuine activity of Jesus cannot be stopped. It cannot be kept private. There are times and places where it is oppressed. There are times and places where people’s hard hearts stand in the way of belief. But Jesus himself is unstoppable. Even the threat of death didn’t stop Lazarus from believing Jesus.
I was recently told that in one African country Christianity has been blossoming. Leaders of Lutheran churches there currently report that they could use some 9,000 trained pastors immediately. Why is this? It is because the Gospel, the good news that Jesus has conquered death, is attractive. Jesus is passing out eternal life. He is giving people hope even in a world which would destroy them. May the Lord give us the grace to pursue him as well.
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