10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
There are few things so little understood as the depravity which lies within the depth of man’s heart – so few things as little realized as the true extent of the fall of man.
“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” Larry Crabb
In our verses for today we have solid proof of the hardness and wickedness that can be found in a heart. It is no wonder that Scripture states through the pen of the prophet Jeremiah:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jer 17:9 (NIV)
Only God knows the innermost thoughts and motives of an individual’s mind and heart. While we might deceive others and perhaps even ourselves regarding our true character, we do not deceive God. We all live “coram Deo” – before the face of God - whether we choose to believe this or not. He knows our thoughts; He knows the motives behind our actions; He even knows the word before it is on our tongues. The prophet Jeremiah goes on to state:
10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:10 (NIV)
19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve. Jer 32:19 (NIV)
King David gives us further insight into God’s omniscience in Psalm 139:
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV)
The chief priests could not deny the fact that Lazarus was very much alive – there was simply no explaining it away. After being in the grave four days, he was now living and moving around, eating and drinking – all within two miles of Jerusalem! Lazarus stood as a giant witness pointing to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah and these religious leaders had a great problem with that. Many of the Jews were turning to our Lord as Lazarus’ resurrection put life into their faith. These chief priests had no way of silencing Lazarus’ witness as his testimony against their unbelief was simply overwhelming. Therefore in their rebellion they decided it better to commit murder than to admit they were wrong – showing they had neither fear of God nor regard of man. Their actions bring to life David’s words in the Psalms:
5 All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. 6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. Psalms 56:5-6 (NIV)
2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. Psalms 59:2-3 (NIV)
6 They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. Psalms 64:6 (NIV)
Encouraging each other with their plans of injustice, these religious leaders seek to silence Truth through slaughter. Yet of this we can be sure – it is the Lord’s to avenge, it is the Lords’ to repay. Do not be deceived, a man reaps what he sows – God will not be mocked. Each sower decides what his harvest will be. Paul tells us in Galatians:
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Gal 6:7-8 (NIV)
I am once again reminded of God’s response to the deeds of evil men found in Psalm 37 of David:
12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Psalms 37:12-15 (NIV)