March 12 Jesus Saves

John 12:19-21 At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” 21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
 
JESUS has just offered himself to the Jews and to the world. He is the one who spoke the world into existence; yet, his words of humble, loving sacrifice raised up strife and contention in many hearts.
   One truth we see here – and it’s a truth we all know – is that it is very, very difficult for sinful mankind to believe in the Savior. For most of us, when we first hear of Jesus dying and rising again, we are incapable of understanding this stunning miracle. I remember struggling for years at Easter with the question, “Did Jesus really rise?” This we must believe. But until we do, Jesus remains a man wrapped up in mythology or even lies. Thus, when Jesus said, “I lay down my life – only to take it up again.” who could believe? No man – not even the one who fit the Jews’ view of the Messiah – could lay down his life and raise himself back to life! Who would even want to do that? What kind of man is this? Was he suicidal and hoping to come back to life? Certainly, this is a sign of demon possession!
   There is the problem. Many did not know Jesus as Savior. Thus, it was impossible to believe him. Others believed Jesus’ miracles and pointed to him as one from God. If he were, indeed, sent from God, perhaps he could indeed “lay down my life – only to take it up again.” If he can make the blind see, there is the possibility he can die and rise again.
   Soon, we’ll be reviewing Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the tomb. He has already raised others. Perhaps, though, the Jews’ continuing unbelief points to the reason for Lazarus’ death and resurrection. Many people, likely some of those who stood before Jesus here, would be comforting Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary at their brother’s death. Some who called him demon possessed would witness Jesus command, “Lazarus, come out!" and hear him instruct, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:43-44) Even then, many would remain unbelievers. Some resurrection witnesses would even plot to kill him.
   But God was working his plan. More and more, Jesus would reveal God’s power come to earth. Eventually, he would fulfill these words he prophesied here. People, including his closest disciples, would come to faith. And the gospel would go to all the world. People dead in sin would rise in the Spirit’s power to proclaim, “Jesus is crucified, dead and buried. Jesus is risen on the third day. Jesus is ascended to heaven. Jesus saves!”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for commanding death be gone from my soul. Amen.