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Where
Do You Find Yourself
In
This Picture?
John 12 gives
an account, while displaying many different personalities.
Where do you find yourself in this picture?
Which one of these people resembles you in your present
walk with the Lord?
1. Lazarus
John 12:1 -
"Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where
Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead."
Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus. Even though he knew
that the chief priests and Pharisees were against him, he did
not hide himself or keep quiet about his miracle. He showed
himself before all. He was a bold witness for the Lord no matter
who liked it. His very existence proved the reality of Jesus
Christ being God in the flesh.
Has God done a miracle for you lately? Did He raise you from the
death of sin? Are you Born-Again? Have you been a bold witness
for Him in your family and on your job - no matter who likes it?
Have you outrightly shown others that you are a
"new creature in Christ"
- one raised from the
death of sin - never to return to that ole lifestyle again?
2. Martha
John 12:2 - "There they made
Him a supper; and Martha served..."
Martha was a woman of class. Yet this did not hinder her from
undertaking the menial job of serving others in Simon's house.
She did not consider it demeaning to perform such a task. As
long as Jesus was being honored, no service was a dishonor in
His presence.
Are you one that is available for God's service? Are you willing
to humble yourself as Martha did and minister to others in the
most quiet and unassuming manner so that they will see Jesus
high and lifted up and receiving all the honor and praise?
3. Mary
John 12:3 -
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very
costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with
her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the
ointment."
As a token of her love for Jesus, Mary took something that was
precious in her possession -
"a pound of ointment of spikenard" - and
anointed His feet with her own hands and wiped His feet with her
hair. She could have called on a servant to perform this
menial task since it was a servant's duty. Yet she did it -
sparing no pains in order to show her love for her Master.
She could have chosen a less expensive ointment. But she
reserved her very best for the Lord - displaying to all that the
perfume of her best affections was reserved for Him and Him
alone. With her gift, she proved to Him and the others in the
room that being in His Presence is far better than all the
riches that this world could ever afford.
Have you reserved for Jesus your very Best? Or does He have to
settle for the "leftovers" of your
life, money, time, and energy? Is there anything or anyone that
you would not give up for Him? Is there something in this life
that is more precious to you than Him? Are you afraid that He
might ask you to relinquish that "treasure"
that you have reserved for you or your family? How far are you
willing to go to prove to Him and others that you love Him more
than all the riches of this world?
4. Judas Iscariot
John 12:4-6
- "Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment
sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he
said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a
thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
Judas was the total opposite of Mary. He had no
faith, humility, sincerity, and certainly no affection for the
Lord Jesus. He only cared about himself. He happened to be the
epitome of selfishness among men.
Was it a coincidence that he was assigned the charge of the
"bag" or coffer
containing the ministry's assets? Not at all!
God allowed this assignment to bring out the corruption that was
in his heart. He was a "thief"
in every sense of the word. He
"bare" what was
placed in the "bag."
In other words, he stole what he could from the ministry.
His thievish disposition was carried out in other ways as well.
He tried to steal away Mary's zeal for the Lord by criticizing
her act under the pretense of religion. He feigned compassion
for the poor in order to quench the fires of her love for her
Master.
He was an imposter. Others saw an apostle and a preacher of the
Gospel, but God saw a deadly, mean, and covetous character. He
was cold in his affections for Jesus. Therefore, he was cold and
calculating in his love for others.
What about you? Is there a part of Judas lurking in your
soul?
Are you a thief in the sense that you try to steal away
the affections that others have for Jesus? Out of a heart of
jealousy, do you quench other people's spirits? Do you criticize
and belittle what they do for the Lord because you are not
involved or because they do not belong to your church or
denomination? Did you ever run down another's ministry because
they were being mightily used by God, and you weren't?
Are you wearing a disguise? Do you pretend to care for others
when - in reality - all you care about is yourself and money? Do
others see you as a great minister, yet God - Who reads the
hearts of all men - sees a very covetous, stingy, greedy,
and begrudging individual in you?
Have you stolen that which belongs to the Lord like the tithes
and offerings of your money, time, and gifts?
Can He trust you with the riches of this world as well as the
riches of His kingdom? Have you been faithful with that which is
least...another man's goods...or the talents and gifts that He
has given to you? Or have you squandered it all because you are
a lover of pleasure rather than a lover of God?
Have you been faithful in the relationships in which He has
placed you? Have you been faithful to your spouse and family?
What about on the job? How have you treated the friends with
whom He has blessed you? Have you been a thief in that you have
used others for your own gain? Are you a constant taker without
ever being a giver? Does the world revolve around you and yours?
Are you stingy and greedy?
Remember - If you betray your
earthly trusts, you will eventually end up betraying your
Master.
5. Much People of the Jews
John 12:9,
12-13 - "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that
He was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that
they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the
dead...On the next day much people that were come to the feast,
when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took
branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried,
Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name
of the Lord."
"Much people"
- We have two kinds of people under the category of
"much people." First
of all, we see the curious ones. They did not come to the feast
to see Jesus and hear His Words of Truth nor to have their lives
transformed by Him. They came to gratify their own curiosity.
They came because they were only interested in hearing and
telling of some "new"
thing that was happening in their midst.
The second group of "much
people" were the praisers. They were very
demonstrative in their worship. They didn't allow anything to
hold them back. They didn't mind getting happy about the King of
kings and Lord of lords. They were not inhibited in the least.
These same people
"took branches of palm trees, and went forth to
meet Him." They were a far cry from
those today who have a problem raising their hands high in
worship, shouting a little, or dancing and leaping in the
Presence of the Lord.
How about you? Do you find yourself in any of these two
groups of
"much people"?
Are you just curious about Christianity? Do you shy away
from the Cross-life or restraints on your personal life? Do you
avoid any preaching or teaching on repentance from sin or such
things as denying Self? Do you simply consider Jesus to be a
Great Mind or an Exceptional Philosopher?
Or are you a "fanatic" when it comes
to praising Him - everywhere and anywhere - because of what He
has done for you? Are you demonstrative in the sense of lifting
up and waving your holy hands and singing and shouting His
praises wherever you may be? Do you weep or get happy when
telling others about His goodness? Are you free and uninhibited
in that you don't allow Self or men's opinions to hold you back
from giving Him all of the Praise?
6.
Pharisees
John 12:19 -
"The Pharisees therefore said among themselves,
Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone
after Him."
The Pharisees were a very controlling group. They threatened
others with excommunication from the synagogue if they did not
see things as they did.
They were a very jealous group. They were angry and embittered
because the whole "world"
was following after Jesus.
They despised the very Son of God because He did not fit into
their mold.
Are you a Pharisee at heart? Do you attend an assembly
of Pharisees?
Do you get upset when other ministries are flourishing who do
not follow your dictates and statutes? Do you criticize and run
down any work of the Lord that does not have your label?
Do you control, intimidate, and manipulate others through fear
and anger because they don't do things your way? Do you pray
against others who are not following the plans that you have for
their lives? Do you hold back the finances for their ministry to
"teach them a lesson"?
Are you fighting God in the name of religion? Are you more
concerned with getting people into your church or denomination
rather than getting them into the Kingdom of God?
7. Certain Greeks
John
12:20-21 - "And there were certain Greeks among them
that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to
Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him,
saying, Sir, we would see Jesus."
These Greeks were Hellenists. This was the name commonly used by
the Jews to denote pagan nations. They were proselytes or
converts who "came up to
worship at the feast." Most likely, they
were Gentiles from Phoenicia and Syria.
What was their main purpose in coming to Jerusalem? They wanted
to "see Jesus."
They heard so much about Him. Now they wanted to actually see
Him.
Are you like these Greeks in the sense that you have a
longing or a yearning in your soul to
"see
Jesus"?
Have you heard so many things about Him that you have yet to
experience or recognize for yourself? Have others related
incidents in their lives or walk that you have not encountered
and you find yourself hungering for more of Him? Do you find
that even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, your
greatest desire is to
"see"
Him?
8. Philip & Andrew
John 12:22 -
"Philip cometh and telleth Andrew; and again Andrew and
Philip tell Jesus."
Here we see a beautiful picture of two ministers working
hand-in-hand to bring others to Christ. Notice that Philip did
not just run ahead and tell Jesus about the
"certain Greeks" so
that he could get all of the credit or strive with the other
disciples in saying that he was bringing more converts to Jesus
than they were. He made it a joint affair by calling on Andrew
and together they went to Jesus to announce the Good News.
How about you? Can you work with others in the ministry? Or do
you feel as though you don't need anyone else? Perhaps you feel
that you are too "anointed" to call on
another to help you bring in the "catch of fish"?
Are you full of strife and selfish ambition...competitive in the
ministry...or more concerned about making a name for yourself
than exalting the name of Jesus? Would it bother you if God
asked you to call on another minister's help because then the
limelight would be off of you?
9. The
Servant of the Lord
John 12:25-26 -
"He that loveth his life shall lose
it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto
life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where
I am, there shall also My servant be; if any man serve Me, him
will My Father honor."
The servant of the Lord is one who lays down his life for the
Truth's sake...allows the Master to instruct him... submits
to His appointments and employments...and imitates Him in all
areas of life.
Are you one of Jesus' disciples...one of His
followers...imitating Him in all of His ways? Do you take the
time to sit at His feet and learn of Him? On a daily basis, do
you forsake your way for His? Is He Lord of every area of your
life? Have you died to Self? Are you fully serving Him with your
life, time, talents, gifts, abilities, strength, and resources?
10. Unbelievers
John
12:37-40 - "But though He had done so many miracles
before them, yet they believed not on Him: That the saying of
Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which He spake, Lord, who
hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord
been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that
Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened
their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor
understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal
them."
Here were a people who heard the
"report" of the
prophets in their synagogues every week and saw the
"arm of the LORD"
revealed each and every time that Jesus performed miracles in
their midst. Yet they did not believe. Why? Apparently, their
hearts were hardened against certain portions of the Truth
because of the passions and lusts that reigned in them.
Do you find that your heart is hardened with unbelief where you
have a hard time believing for God's supernatural intervention
in your life? When you hear of others testifying for the Lord of
His miraculous power, are you cold and calloused to the Good
News?
Ask God to search your heart. Somewhere in your walk with Him,
you may have rejected or turned from the Truth, and,
consequently, your heart has become hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin.
If you will repent, He will once again reveal His mighty
"arm" or Holy
Ghost Power to you.
11. Chief Rulers
John
12:42-43 - "Nevertheless among the
chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the
Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out
of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the
praise of God."
The "chief rulers"
were members of the Sanhedrin - the highest Jewish court during
the Greek and Roman periods. It consisted of 70 members
- including the high priest who was considered the president.
There were those, in this class of leaders, who did believe that
Jesus was the promised Messiah, but due to the fear of
excommunication, they did not openly
"confess Him." The
reason why? They were more concerned with winning the approval
of men than the Favor of Almighty God -
"For they loved the praise of men more
than the praise of God."
Do you find that you are sometimes like the
"chief rulers"?
Are you trying to be everyone's buddy? Do you want everyone to
like you? Are you more concerned with the fact
that you have man's approval than God's? Are you afraid to
"rock the boat" for righteousness'
sake because of the cost involved?
It is literally impossible to serve God and be a friend
to all men.
Whether you like it or not - as long as you serve the Lord - you
will eventually be called on to "step on someone's
toes." Resultantly, there will be those who will
hate you, work against you, tear you down, hold back finances,
and make life miserable for you - and all because you are
serving Him without compromise, shame, or fear.
12. Chief Priests
John
12:10-11 - "But the chief priests consulted that they
might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him
many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."
The "chief priests"
were determined to "wipe out" Lazarus
because as long as he was alive, there was incontestable proof
that Jesus Christ was God - able to perform miracles and do the
impossible.
There are people like the
"chief priests" in our midst today. They
actually fight any teachings on miracles or the gifts of the
Spirit - as well as fight all those who believe that God still
performs them in our day and age.
Perhaps you are one of those who has eaten of the
"fruit of lies" that
says that miracles went out with the Apostles. Don't
believe it for a second! Get the lid off of God! He is still
God! And God don't ever change!
The greatest miracle that we have all encountered was the
Miracle of the New Birth - Being Born-Again. But since
salvation, countless Christians as well as unbelievers have
encountered the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit - proving
that God is still performing the same mighty acts today as
He did back then.
One chapter of the Bible.
One account in Jesus' story.
But twelve different types
of people as seen in their relationship to Him.
It is absolutely amazing to see how the Presence of the Lord
- in a certain gathering of people - will speak volumes
- revealing people for who they really are.
Once again, we ask -
Where do you find
yourself in this picture?
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
| © COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
