Two Possible Reactions To God
 

In John 11, we read the very familiar account of Lazarus' death and Jesus' raising him from the dead. He stated, “He was glad He was not present when he died, ...so that you (His disciples) may believe." (v.15). The Lord knew what He intended to do, His friend's death being a providential opportunity for “the Son of God to be glorified” (v.4).

This well-known incident provides us, as readers of the Scripture, with a look at human behavior and how such affects the soul's destiny. Notice the following...

(1) Many believed on Jesus through what they observed (v. 45)

In John 11: 23, 25 “Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again” and “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” His words fully convince some that He truly is the Son of God, possessing great power, and able to impart eternal life to those who follow Him.

(2) Many could not deny what He did, but felt threatened at losing what they loved the most - their personal pre-eminence.

When you get right down to it, it is plain silly for the Jews to think they could put to death the One who just had given Lazarus his life back. Even the most cynical among us could reason, "If He raised Lazarus, He surely could raise Himself!"

Christ is not among us today raising the dead to convince the doubters. But the powerful word He left behind to His apostles contains eyewitness testimony that should convince any right-thinking person (John. 20:30-31). “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” It certainly will judge us, John. 12:48 says “He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

Like these groups in John 11, we are faced with the same two (2) options: either accept, who He is, or be futile in your attempts to dismiss Him.