Ignoring the Obvious

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

I am amazed at the disbelief of the Pharisees. Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead in front of dozens of witnesses (John 11:1-45). Later Lazarus is reclining at table with Jesus having supper (12:2). The undeniable proof of the miraculous works of Jesus, Lazarus, is sitting at table with him eating after being dead for four days.

Word was getting around about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. “The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead (12:9).” Lazarus was a walking miracle and people wanted to see it with their own eyes. “But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus (12:10-11).”

Poor Lazarus. He had just died after suffering a severe illness. Then Jesus raised him from the dead. And now the Pharisees want to kill him because he’s living evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. Why? Because Jesus was gaining followers at their expense. They were concerned that, “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 (11:48).” They could not accept the obvious, that Jesus is the Messiah.

The evidence of Jesus working miracles is still present today in the miracle of transformed lives, in His Word, in the creation that surrounds us. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20, NASB).” Yet there still remains those determined to suppress the truth for earthly gain.

The mere fact that there are people today who seek to suppress the spread of Christianity is evidence of its power to change lives. The words of the Pharisees still ring true today about the reason behind opposition to Jesus: “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation (John 11:48, NIV).”

15 thoughts on “Ignoring the Obvious”

  1. I suppose Lazarus, even if he was in danger, had the spiritual courage required to be risen from the dead. And together with Jesus, spiritual strength continued the miracles and transformed lives. Thanks.

    1. The Pharisees could not stop Jesus and His followers. May we be inspired to overcome those who seek to stop us from spreading the Good News about Jesus. Blessings.

  3. Jesus called the Pharisees a brood of serpents. They were jealous and full of envy. Their pride in themselves and their self importance blinded them to the truth. When Saul, a Pharisee, accepted Jesus, scales fell from his eyes. This was the serpent scales that his fellow Pharisees had to blind them to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, in flesh!

    1. I like that description. The scales of the serpent’s deceit falling from Saul’s eyes. Satan can be so persuasive that even the obvious is ignored. Blessings.

  4. Yes, I am amazed at the absurd lengths that unbelief drives us to and don’t even make sense. Just think about it. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. You might think that killing him again would only give Jesus a second opportunity to work another miracle!

    1. I did not consider that 🤔 Yes, Jesus could’ve raised him again and the Pharisees probably would’ve still not been convinced. Blessings.

  5. Our salvation and maybe even our faith are a gift from God, are they not, so that no one can boast or even judge? If so, then in some sense then even persecution is salvific because Jesus said it would be so. It still hurts though, whether one personally suffers it or only hears of it. But Jesus Christ will one Day wipe away our every tear.

    1. Yes, I like that scripture: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4. Blessings.

  6. Poor Lazarus, indeed. I always felt sorry for the man (and a few others) that had to die twice.
    The blindness/denseness of people both then and now has been brought into focus by a quote I was reminded of recently:
    “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” People believe what they want to believe, or – the modern translation – “You can’t fix stupid.” The Pharisees were (are) so blinded by greed, fear, and ego that they would never see the Salvation that was right under their noses. So sad…

    1. Your comment makes me think of Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Blessings.

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