You, too, are a target.
The man born blind and Lazarus are just two examples of people who each faced a group of angry religious leaders none too happy about their testimonies of Jesus delivering them. Upon their deliverances, each became a target. The formerly blind man was thrown out of the synagogue, and Lazarus was added to the list that Jesus was on to be killed. All because their deliverances highlighted the power of God at work!
You would think that after Jesus raised a four-day dead man back to life, anyone thinking about killing Jesus would have second thoughts. What Jesus did was definitely out of the ordinary. But it drove the haters to further their pursuit all the more. They had zero respect for the power Jesus had. They actually felt they could silence Jesus (and Lazarus). But thanks be to God – they failed back then, and the enemy will fail today.
Your testimonies of faith and ever-increasing convictions that Jesus is worthy of all praise will continue. So, you have haters in your life? You’re in good company. But don’t forget that haters can never diminish what the Lord has done and will do. Nothing and no one can silence the power of God at work in your life. I’ve heard it said before, haters are going to hate – that is their assignment, to hate. But their convictions have nothing to do with yours. Keep on keeping on. The Lord will deal with the haters in His time and His way. Until then, continue to rejoice over all the Lord has done for you, with you, through you, around you, and sometimes in spite of you. Continue giving God the glory that is due His name. Yeah, you, too, are a target. If being delivered makes you a target, then so be it. Jesus delivered you, and that exceeds anything haters concoct.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. John 9:26-34 (KJV)
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. John 11:45-53 (KJV)
9 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.10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. John 12:9-11 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Pastor/Author Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)