“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, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him.” (John 12:9-11)
“Now Joseph (of Arimathea) was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.” (John 19:38)
What does it mean to be associated with Jesus? Jesus was a wanted man by the religious leaders of His day. His idea of a righteous life was unconventional and did not fit their comfortable lifestyles. He was considered dangerous and a threat to the community. Therefore, those who followed Him were always at risk. Especially those like Lazarus. Jesus had raised him from the dead. Lazarus had become a living illustration of what Jesus could do for all those who followed Him. They could be born again! Jesus came to bring life into the graveyards of this world. Those who were dead in their sins could be called from the tomb to new life.
But this new life requires us to follow Jesus to the cross. In our lenten journey we have seen that it requires sacrifice, discipline and resolve…and add to that…danger. Lazarus had become a marked man simply by being a testimony of what Jesus could do. People were putting their faith in Jesus because of Lazarus. Wow!
Some of us have forgotten that being a disciple of Jesus is still radical today. Many are like Joseph of Arimathea who was a secret follower of Jesus. He believed in Jesus but he was not willing to take the risk to be identified with Him. Not until the cross is Joseph’s faith revealed. Up until then a faith lived in the open would have been inconvenient. One Christian writer gives this challenge:
“What we desperately need to re-understand is that it is dangerous to be a true Christian. Anyone who takes his or her Christianity seriously
will realize that crucifixion is not something that happened to one man
nineteen hundred and fifty -odd years ago, nor was martyrdom just the fate of His early followers. It should be an omnipresent risk for every Christian. Christians should – need – in certain ways to live dangerously if they are to live out their faith.”
– M. Scott Peck, A Different Drum.
Today, who do you identify more with? Joseph…who feared the reaction of others and kept his faith a secret or Lazarus…who embraced his new life by being an unashamed follower of Jesus? Be forewarned, the abundant life that Jesus calls you to is one of sacrifice, risk and it will sometimes be…dangerous.