“We will be hassled by the schemes of the enemy,
but never hindered,
if we stand in the power and might of our God”
Pastor Dave Hess
Christ Community Church
The Little Things:
The Word of God never ceases to amaze those who embrace its wisdom daily. I am often surprised at the things the Holy Spirit will reveal, sometimes in little, seemingly insignificant passages. Truth be told, there are no insignificant passages of Scripture – every word was orchestrated by the Spirit with purpose and intent.
Recently I was reading in the twelfth chapter of John, a familiar passage about how the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were conspiring to kill Jesus, after he had raised Lazarus from the dead. His fame was rapidly spreading amongst the people and they were “loosing face” and control of the populous.
The crowds of people were pressing in to see the Miracle Worker Jesus, but they were also anxious to meet Lazarus, the one He had raised from the dead.
“Now a great crowd of the Jews
heard that He was at Bethany,
and they came there, not only because of Jesus
but that they also might see Lazarus,
whom He had raised from the dead.”
John 12:9 Amplified Bible
When the miraculous happens, people are drawn to the occasion. The miraculous is our invitation to meet the Miracle Maker!
This is not what surprised me, but rather what follows in the next verse. Now, I’ve read this verse many times and failed to catch this subtle point.
“So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also,
Because on account of him many of the Jews
were going away
[were withdrawing from and leaving the Judeans]
and believing in and adhering to Jesus.”
Almost immediately I thought of Peter’s observation:
“Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered
at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange
(unusual and alien to you and your position)
were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings,
rejoice, so that when His glory
[full of radiance and splendor]
is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
If you are censured and suffer abuse
[because you bear] the name of Christ,
blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied,
with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition],
because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God,
is resting upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified.
1 Peter4:12-14 Amplified Bible
Often when we are the recipient of God’s blessings and gifts, we can become a target for the world. They sought to put Lazarus to death that the Christ would not be glorified. The enemy still attempts to bring death upon those who carry the name of Jesus Christ. We may at times suffer for the cause of Christ, but greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world!
“Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him]
and have [already] defeated and overcome them
[the agents of the antichrist],
because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier)
than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 Amplified Bible
“Remember that I told you,
A servant is not greater than his master
[is not superior to him].
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings,
they will also keep and obey yours.
John 15:20 Amplified Bible
With God we will gain the victory…
He has trampled down our enemies!
but never hindered,
if we stand in the power and might of our God”
Pastor Dave Hess
Christ Community Church
The Little Things:
The Word of God never ceases to amaze those who embrace its wisdom daily. I am often surprised at the things the Holy Spirit will reveal, sometimes in little, seemingly insignificant passages. Truth be told, there are no insignificant passages of Scripture – every word was orchestrated by the Spirit with purpose and intent.
Recently I was reading in the twelfth chapter of John, a familiar passage about how the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were conspiring to kill Jesus, after he had raised Lazarus from the dead. His fame was rapidly spreading amongst the people and they were “loosing face” and control of the populous.
The crowds of people were pressing in to see the Miracle Worker Jesus, but they were also anxious to meet Lazarus, the one He had raised from the dead.
“Now a great crowd of the Jews
heard that He was at Bethany,
and they came there, not only because of Jesus
but that they also might see Lazarus,
whom He had raised from the dead.”
John 12:9 Amplified Bible
When the miraculous happens, people are drawn to the occasion. The miraculous is our invitation to meet the Miracle Maker!
This is not what surprised me, but rather what follows in the next verse. Now, I’ve read this verse many times and failed to catch this subtle point.
“So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also,
Because on account of him many of the Jews
were going away
[were withdrawing from and leaving the Judeans]
and believing in and adhering to Jesus.”
Almost immediately I thought of Peter’s observation:
“Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered
at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange
(unusual and alien to you and your position)
were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings,
rejoice, so that when His glory
[full of radiance and splendor]
is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
If you are censured and suffer abuse
[because you bear] the name of Christ,
blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied,
with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition],
because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God,
is resting upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified.
1 Peter4:12-14 Amplified Bible
Often when we are the recipient of God’s blessings and gifts, we can become a target for the world. They sought to put Lazarus to death that the Christ would not be glorified. The enemy still attempts to bring death upon those who carry the name of Jesus Christ. We may at times suffer for the cause of Christ, but greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world!
“Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him]
and have [already] defeated and overcome them
[the agents of the antichrist],
because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier)
than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 Amplified Bible
“Remember that I told you,
A servant is not greater than his master
[is not superior to him].
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings,
they will also keep and obey yours.
John 15:20 Amplified Bible
With God we will gain the victory…
He has trampled down our enemies!
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