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- Apr 25, 2006
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20 November 2007
John 12 v 9-11
A large crowd of Jews heard that Jesus was in Bethany. So they went there to see not only Jesus but Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus, too. Because of Lazarus many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
Without wanting to go on about institutional control too much, it seems that we have here the first example of the religious authorities trying to silence radical Christianity in Lazarus. Because of what happened to Lazarus, and the way he must have shared his story, people were leaving the temple where the leading priests worked, and were instead following Jesus. I think its quite funny that they're called the leading priests; it's not really a very godly thing to do, trying to kill Lazarus!!
Well, it would be funny if I didn't do the same thing. I'm thinking of the 'religious authority' in my life, the bit of me that always thinks I'm right, that I have the best theology...
Like when I silenced an uncomfortable and radical voice pointing me to the miraculous power of God today.
And when I wanted that person to just shut up and get back in line with the rest of us.
How about when I wrote that person off because they weren't cool, or their book didn't contain quotes from all the best writers?
We too can easily silence the voices around us that point us to a more radical, wholehearted devotion to Jesus, and a deeper understanding of him. A theologian called Meister Eckhart said "God, save me from God". I think this means that I ask God to reveal himself as he is, rather than as I want him to be.
Jesus, please reveal yourself to me in deeper ways than I currently understand. Even if that means listening to radical people who seem to rock the boat. Bring me closer to you, and closer to an understanding of who you really are. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
John 12 v 9-11
A large crowd of Jews heard that Jesus was in Bethany. So they went there to see not only Jesus but Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus, too. Because of Lazarus many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
Without wanting to go on about institutional control too much, it seems that we have here the first example of the religious authorities trying to silence radical Christianity in Lazarus. Because of what happened to Lazarus, and the way he must have shared his story, people were leaving the temple where the leading priests worked, and were instead following Jesus. I think its quite funny that they're called the leading priests; it's not really a very godly thing to do, trying to kill Lazarus!!
Well, it would be funny if I didn't do the same thing. I'm thinking of the 'religious authority' in my life, the bit of me that always thinks I'm right, that I have the best theology...
Like when I silenced an uncomfortable and radical voice pointing me to the miraculous power of God today.
And when I wanted that person to just shut up and get back in line with the rest of us.
How about when I wrote that person off because they weren't cool, or their book didn't contain quotes from all the best writers?
We too can easily silence the voices around us that point us to a more radical, wholehearted devotion to Jesus, and a deeper understanding of him. A theologian called Meister Eckhart said "God, save me from God". I think this means that I ask God to reveal himself as he is, rather than as I want him to be.
Jesus, please reveal yourself to me in deeper ways than I currently understand. Even if that means listening to radical people who seem to rock the boat. Bring me closer to you, and closer to an understanding of who you really are. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
