#8 Learning to Let Go

2022 Countdown of the top ten most viewed posts. This post was first published February 15, 2022.

Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. Because of this, “many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him (John 11:45).” This is exactly what Jesus earlier told his disciples would happen, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it (John 11:4).” Because he raised Lazarus, many believed in Jesus.

“But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done (John 11:45-46).” Despite all the signs Jesus performed, the Pharisees refused to believe in Jesus. They were more concerned about their status and position in the world. They didn’t want to threaten that by associating with Jesus. “Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation (John 11:47-48).”

Following Jesus can have consequences in this world. Many evil forces are at work to thwart the spreading of the gospel and it can come in some not so obvious ways. In church it might show itself in trying to protect a relationship with the world over defending the Gospel and our profession of Jesus as the Son of God. Sometimes that means letting go of things in this world.

© 2022, CGThelen