stuff i think

Thoughts from John 12
or
"I think I can explain those arrows in your back."

The Jesus that most of the world believes in - a mild mannered 'good man' somewhere between Gandhi and Gilligan - is not the Jesus you find in the Gospels. He had this penchant for stirring things up. He tipped tables over. He had a way of poking religiousity in the eye with a sharp stick. Read the Gospels and you come away with a better understanding of the reason they were constantly trying to kill Him. He was messing with their way of life.

All that said, there are other characters in the Gospels who become targets and you have to go "HUH?!?!". Example: Lazarus. This is the guy who, after having been dead four days, is issued a Divine Recall. He hops out of the tomb, his sisters unwrap the strips of cloth that bound him for burial, and he goes back to his life, following Jesus, making a living, paying the mortgage, etc.

I wonder if he had any idea what being ressurected would cost him?

John 12:9,10
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well....

I can amost here the Pharasees. (insert Monty Python voice here) "Lazurus? Lazarus?!? Nope! Not quite dead yet!".

Why did they come after Lazarus? One would think they would shrug their shoulders and just decide he was the luckiest guy on the planet. Live and let live a little longer. Instead, they plot to kill him. What did they have to gain? He did no miracles. We have no record of him preaching. He was a mild mannered guy who lived with his sisters. But he had a story. Scripture goes on to say that many people were going over to Jesus based on the story of Lazarus' ressurection. His very experience in God was delivering damage to the kingdom of darkness. By walking and talking, he was taking ground in the spirit.

Anyone with a redemptive story in God is a target. The Dark One comes after them with a vengance, knowing that if they can destroy the redemptive story, they can discredit the Redeemer. He knows that at the end of the day, the overcomers will have done so by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

If you're under attack and wondering why...it just might be because of the potential you hold to tell your story and offer hope for others to change. Tell your story.. It drives the enemy crazy.