the last straw
“The fact was, the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too, because many Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him on account of Lazarus.” —John 12:10-11
The raising of Lazarus from the dead was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” and set in motion the plot to kill Jesus (see Jn 12:10). Simply by being alive, Lazarus was bringing people to believe in Jesus (Jn 12:11).
Can this be said of you? Simply by the fact that you are alive, and especially because you are alive in Christ, do people see you and then come to believe in Jesus? Do people need to be around you, call you on the phone, text you, glance at you because, by your very presence, you radiate the presence of God? Would worldly people wish to “cancel” you simply because you live, and especially because you live for Jesus as a witness to His mercy?
Lazarus died. Then he was raised from the dead by Jesus. But this also happened to you — if you were baptized. In Baptism, you died with Christ (Rm 6:3). Now you have been raised with Christ from the waters of Baptism (Rm 6:4-5).
Radiate Christ Jesus by fully living your Baptism. You have died with Christ; now die daily to yourself. Deny your very self and pick up your cross each day. During this Holy Week, follow in His footsteps to Calvary (Lk 9:23).
Do not fear the second death (Rv 2:11). If you persevere to the end, it cannot harm you (Mt 24:13, Douay-Rheims). “After all, you have died!” (Col 3:3) Live your life in Jesus to the full (Jn 10:10). Be like Lazarus. Draw others to Jesus simply by being alive for Him.
Prayer: Father, make me fully alive in Your Son Jesus.
Promise: “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear?” —Ps 27:1
Praise: Praise You, Jesus, the Chosen, Beloved One (Jn 1:34; Lk 3:22). “You are the Son of God” (Jn 1:49).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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