Backbone

John 11:7-11: “Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 "But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."

Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick and in need of healing. Jesus was going to use this time to teach all of the people around this situation a great and powerful lesson about the power that was in Him. Jesus knew that this sickness would kill Lazarus, but he wanted to use this situation to show His disciples, followers, and even detractors that He was God; so He waited. After two days He said it was time to go back to His friend and heal Him. His disciples did not know that Lazarus was dead, and Jesus knew that bringing Him back from the dead after two days would be a catapult for the events about to take place. Jesus said, “Let us go to Judea again”. His disciples remembered what happened the last time and were cautious. They did not want to go to a place where Jesus had almost been stoned.

Jesus however did not care about such things. He was on a mission, and He had a friend who needed healing, so He was not fearful of what the Pharisees would do to Him. As a Christ Follower there are many opportunities to show fear. There will be opposition to the things we do. We as Christ followers are getting persecuted over practicing or faith; praying before city councils, before meals at restaurants, or at flagpoles before schools, preaching the truth of the bible, and standing up for the unborn child who does not have a voice. All of these actions will cause the world around us to become aggressive toward Christians who have a backbone. Jesus is our example, He did not shrink from doing what was right because of physical danger, so why should we. Billy Graham once said, “When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened” Do not be afraid to stand up for your beliefs.


Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 26-27 New Testament John 11:18-46