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NASB | John 11:6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 11:6 So [even] when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed in the same place two more days. |
Bible Question:
See #8339 for reference. 1) Did the disciples follow Jesus and see the resurrection of His friend Lazarus? 2) Would we go, even we THE disciples, if it meant death to follow Him? See also John 18:17, 25. 3) Should we see the Light of the world in this passage? John 11:9 From the heart, Ray |
Bible Answer: Hi, Ray! We have to look at Thomas' comment in light of Jesus previous response (John 11:1-6) and the peril which awaited Jesus (and consequently his disciples) in Judea (John 11:8). At this particular moment in the disciples' fellowship they were not completely devoted to the cause. True they followed Jesus and were eager to learn from Him, but there were as human as we are with all the doubts and incredulousness as we have. Their one certainty was that Jesus had been threatened with physical harm (imprisonment or death) and they, as His disciples, would be subjected to the same reception. Thomas, being true to his name, spoke in human understanding--if we go now since Lazarus is dead, what are we to gain but death at the hand of those who are persecuting Jesus?--disclaimer: my words on his thoughts; there is no Biblical passage that makes this statement! The people seeking Jesus to cause Him harm did not act in front of witnesses for they feared the repercussion their action would have as the many followers of Christ would no doubt turn on them in a violent rage. Traveling by day light would asure Jesus and His disciples some safety (John 11:9-10). Courage comes in different forms... Peter vs. the other disciple, which one was more courageous?: Superficially it would seem like the other disciple was the most courageous since he did not deny Jesus. But when we look deeper into the event we find that Peter was an unknown character who resembled those who were seen with Jesus, and, to his detriment, he was from Galilee (Matthew 26:69)--as we know there are various distinctions among the various residents of the US (speech, manerisms...); these distinctions are geographical at times. So Peter would standout amongst non-Galileans! On the other hand, the other disciple who just walked right through the main entrance and paraded about nonchalantly had a history with the people and the place (John 18:15-16). Logic dictates that Peter was at risk while the other disciple had no reason to fear the people around him. This said, we know that the disciples accompanied Jesus to Lazarus' grave and did witness Lazarus resurrection--not only the disciples but also many followers (John 11:14-15, 43-45); consequenty Lazarus became a secondary target for the religious elite (John 12:10-11). As their desire to "get Jesus" grew so did their efforts to control Jesus followers; so it is logical that fear grew in the hearts and minds of the disciples, and the followers at large. Today, we do not face the same persecution. Today's persecution is insidiously subtle since it does not always attack Christ directly and since much of it is being done from within the "Christian" culture. It has not escalated to the point of Christ's disciples fearing death on the count of the Holy Name of Christ (at least not in the US--yet). But the assaults are getting more and more constant and more and more abrasive while Christians are becoming more and more complacent: we are allowing society to dictate what Jesus commandments mean and how and where we can witness to Christ! Honor the Lord your God, it is not an option! Thou shall not kill, it is not an option! Living an immoral life and teaching others that God's ok with it, it is not Biblical! Being a friend to the world, it is being an enemy of God! So, Ray, have we, as Christians, failed Jesus?, did we leave Him on the garden?, do we deny Jesus when society demands that we comform the Bible to "modern ways?" Sadly, I have witness this from too many "Christians" who have allowed the world to defile Jesus' Word! Just look at the ordination of women and homosexuals into the priesthood... look at the unchallenged education that society is giving to the next generation of "Christians!" It is not enough to recognize the Light and claim to be of the Light; we must Live in the Light! God Bless! Angel God |