Influencers Weekly Devotional

Abide with ME

Abiding Emotionally - Part One

Lazarus - Friend of Jesus

SCRIPTURE: “When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.” John 12: 9-10 Thought: It was the day before Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem that He was visiting in the home of His friend Lazarus, and his two sisters. Lazarus had become a local celebrity after Jesus had, only a short time before, raised him from being dead four days in a tomb. Word of this miracle reached the religious “establishment,” and the chief priests plotted to put Jesus and Lazarus to death because of it. But why was Lazarus targeted? Lazarus was only the recipient of the gift of life from Jesus? Wouldn’t those priests desired the same gift of life if it were one of them, or one of their own loved ones who Jesus had brought back from death? So, the question is, what did Lazarus do wrong? Maybe he was targeted because of the same reason other Christians have been targeted for the last 2,000 years? It was simply because he was a friend of Jesus. Application: Jesus was clear in His disclaimers about being His friend. He said following Him could lead to persecution, rejection and even death. Lazarus is an example of having a death warrant put on his head, simply because he was a friend of Jesus. So, who was Lazarus that he would command so much attention? We don’t know much about Lazarus, except what we read about his friendship with Jesus. He was not an apostle, and we do not know if he traveled with Jesus the three years before His crucifixion. We don’t read about him planting churches, as did Peter and the rest of the disciples. But some traditions say later Lazarus might have moved to Cyprus and became the first bishop there. However, that is only a tradition. Lazarus was not wealthy or political, that we know of. He may have been the son of a former high priest, although we don’t know for sure. We don’t know if he was a scholar, or anything like that. If he was, he didn’t live in Jerusalem where scholars hung out with one another, for he lived in a sleepy village called Bethany. He might have done many things left unrecorded concerning his part in the Church that would later form a few months after Christ was crucified? He might have become a missionary traveling far and wide sharing his testimony about Christ and Who He was and what He had done in his life? That would have been a powerful testimony. But we don’t have any Biblical record of it. Truth is, we don’t know much about Lazarus, but we do know a lot about his friend Jesus, and what Jesus did in his life. When I thought on these facts, it caused me to ask, “What better witness can a man have than that of being a friend of Jesus?” One thing we know for sure about Lazarus is that the truth Jesus told about being associated with Him would lead to being misunderstood and hated. Jesus also added that His friends would be hated because the world hates Him. We call it “guilt by association,” so I would guess Lazarus being Jesus friend would bring even more attention and greater persecution to himself, and that is why he was targeted. From personal experience, and because of my friendship with Jesus, I have seen this persecution to be true. Don’t get me wrong. I would not want you to think I am saying that all my “persecutions” have come from such a noble cause as being a friend of Jesus. The truth is I have brought much misery on myself because of the way I’ve treated other people, dealing with issues in an angry, manipulative manner. Many of my troubles have come because of my own ruthless behavior, and I need to take responsibility for my part in what caused my problems. But I have also seen it to be true that the more I’ve committed to draw near to Jesus and to be His friend, the more active the “hounds of hell” pursue me. I HAVE SEEN THIS EVIL SPIRIT MOVE INTO PEOPLE WITHOUT THEM EVEN KNOWING IT, AS THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO BRING SOME FORM OF PERSECUTION TO ME. Through the years, I have connected the dots that this evil, found most often in circumstances and people, is designed to frighten a Christian away and discourage his or her friendship with Jesus. Jesus forewarns us that this will happen. But He also tells us to endure when we are assaulted, for we are His friend, and the final victory will be His. He assures us that He and His power is greater than any evil force that comes at us, AND HE TAKES CARE OF HIS FRIENDS. Concerning friendship, we need to truly understand what it means to be a true friend. As I have grown older and have begun to understand the real treasures in my life, I have come to value friendship with my true friends as one of the greatest gifts God has given to me. “Friend” is a special word, and connotes a sacred relationship, but often we cheapen it. Some people are friendly, but are not real friends. Some people call themselves a friend but are uncaring and uninvolved in our life. Therefore, they can’t be qualified as a true friend. We might have a long-term relationship with someone, and he or she may think of them self as an “old friend” of ours. But if only history binds us together and there is no concern, no caring, or emotional connection with us, I don’t believe it is a true friendship. A true friend is interested and concerned about things I am interested in and concerned about, and vice-versa. A true friend is loyal and trustworthy to me, as I am to him. A true friend laughs when I laugh and cries when I cry, and vice-versa. I think there should be an emotional connection in a true friendship that should feel great pain when absent, and real sorrow when the relationship is wounded. I have mentioned the “visa-versa” aspect of friendship, for a true friendship gives and gets; otherwise, it is not a true friendship. In my own life, I know I have been sorrowfully one-sided in getting and not giving, and as well, I have been on the other side, where it was all me giving to someone I thought was my friend. I can tell you this is unfair in a friendship and will lead to the death of a friendship. Therefore, a true friendship needs to be nurtured and protected, if it is to remain. Above all, it should never be disrespected because of neglect. As I read about Lazarus and his friendship with Jesus, I think that it would be the greatest privilege in the world to simply be Jesus’ friend. But if I am to be His friend, I need to realize I have responsibilities to our friendship. God’s word tells me that Jesus wants to be my friend. The issue is not what kind of friend He is to me, but rather what kind of friend am I to Him? If you feel the same as I do, you need to understand how true friendship works with Jesus. Just as there are human behavior laws guiding human friendships, there are similar conditions at work in our friendship with Jesus. For instance, do I spend time alone with Jesus and simply hang out with Him, or am I too busy? Am I concerned about offending my friend Jesus by the way I think, talk, and act, or am I oblivious to those things that offend Him? Look at the criteria I have listed in the paragraph above and ask yourself, “Am I ready to be a true friend of Jesus? Am I willing to accept the risk along with the benefit? Am I willing to give Him all the things a best friend deserves in our friendship?” Reply: Lord Jesus, I want to be a better friend to You. I realize there is risk in being Your friend. But the benefit of our friendship far outweighs any risk to my life and comfort. As a true friend, I want to be emotionally connected to You and feel Your joy and heartache within me. I want to put real value on those things You value, and reject those things that You are opposed to. I realize You have waited for me many times beside a stream, or even in a chair in my home, wanting to spend time with me, to simply enjoy me and I You. Bu, I’ve not taken the time to come to You, or even acknowledge Your presence, as I thought I was just too busy to spend time with You. What a mess I’ve been to think of myself as too busy to spend time with the King of the Universe? What a tragedy! You have always been a faithful friend to me. But what kind of friend have I been to You? I’ll answer that. I’ve been a neglectful friend, if I’ve been a friend at all. Thank You for not condemning me, for that is the kind of friend You are. I know I’ve been missing the greatest privilege given to me, which is to enjoy Your faithful friendship, and You. I’m ready to change that. I’m ready to be a better friend to you. So Lord, here I come. I’m coming back to You, my best friend, and I’m committing to live my life out in the way a true friend should toward his friend. It’s been far too long. Thank You for welcoming me back. Your friend, Rocky TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, CLICK HERE