9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
One almost gets a circus like feeling from our verse for today as we read that multitudes flocked to see both the miracle Worker (Jesus) and the evidence of the miracle (Lazarus). Curiosity is one of the most common and powerful motives in man as we love to see the sensational and to gape at things out of the ordinary. It would therefore have been a very inviting sight to curious flesh to have both Jesus and Lazarus under the same roof. News had spread of the raising of Lazarus from the dead and the people were out to gratify their curiosity with a sight of him. It appears as if Lazarus was on display with a command performance – whether he wanted to be or not!
Certainly the miracle had pointed to the power of God in Christ Jesus yet we get the feeling that many were out to gratify their curiosity rather than grow their faith. I am reminded of the words in Luke between the dead rich man and Abraham. The rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to tell his brothers how terrible the place of torment was and to warn them to change their ways so that they would not have to go there as well. Abraham’s response is fleshed out in our verse today through the multitudes coming to gawk at Lazarus:
31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:31 (NIV)
“Miracles are the great bell of the universe, which draws men to God’s sermon.” John Foster
While miraculous signs and wonders are given to point us to God, sadly, this oftentimes is not the case. Man has a way of excusing away what he does not understand or want to believe.
“I keep trying to find a life, on my own apart from You. I am the king of excuses, I’ve got one for every selfish thing I do. What’s going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicions that I’m still a man in need of a savior...O Lord be my Light and my Salvation. The disease of the self runs through my blood, like cancer fatal to the soul. Every attempt on my behalf has failed, to keep the sickness under control...Lord be my Light and be my salvation.” Charlie Peacock
Throughout Scripture God sought to get the attention of mankind through His Word and His works. He still does. He sent prophets to proclaim and even donkeys to speak yet man continued to reject – choosing rather to hold on to worldly wisdom rather than the wisdom of God which is found in Jesus. Our Lord stated to the religious leaders earlier in John:
39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40 (NIV)
“When it comes to hearing from God, I firmly believe the Bible is our source and authority. God's Word is like a megaphone to His people. Throughout Scripture God speaks through kings and queens, princes and prophets, poets and pilgrims. He speaks through weather patterns, barnyard animals and even the stars in the sky. God is not only creative, but He is persistent in getting our attention and communicating with us.” The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
The prophet Jeremiah states:
8 "'How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? 9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? Jer 8:8-9 (NIV)
Paul gives us the following Truth in Colossians – wisdom is found in Christ:
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Col 2:2-4 (NIV)