So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. For this reason also the people went to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not accomplishing anything; look, the world has gone after Him!”
We all have different responses to Jesus at different points in life. In fruitful seasons, we feel close to Jesus because of the ways He answers prayers. In times of disappointment and grief, we can become cynical about who Jesus is. In times of self-sufficiency, we can feel completely indifferent to Him. All the people in today’s passage had different reactions to Jesus, some were amazed by how Jesus had worked in the past, some were enthralled with what Jesus might do for them in the future, and others were frustrated with the attention Jesus received.
Wherever we find ourselves in our relationship with Jesus today, let’s seek Him as He is and has always been and refuse to only view Him through the lens of experience. Our experiences with Him will change greatly—we will have low moments, exciting moments, and bitter moments—but Jesus never changes. May we anchor our hope in the unchanging person of Jesus! This is the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus died, rose, and ascended to God the Father so that we can be reconciled with Him. In every season and every moment, the truth of what He has done has not and will not change. No matter the baggage we bring or questions we have, Jesus is worthy of praise. As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- Where are you in your relationship with Jesus right now?
- How are you encouraged that Jesus stays the same even when your feelings about Him change?
- Pray and worship Jesus for who He is and what He has done. Ask Him to prepare your heart to worship Him this Easter.
