David Bahn – Reflections

John 11:7-16

Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” ⁸ The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” ⁹ Jesus answered,“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. ¹⁰ But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” ¹¹ After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” ¹² The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” ¹³ Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. ¹⁴ Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ¹⁶  So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Tim Tebow has been in the news again not only because he was traded from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets, but because the display his faith is of great interest to the New York news media. At a press conference yesterday he was asked about his faith. In one exchange he made the point that he is simply trying to live with integrity; that his faith is on display because that’s who he is, not for some sort of show.

Thomas is recorded here as saying: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” I’m not certain just what Thomas had in mind here, but it certainly seems like bravado. It’s like Peter saying, “Everyone else may forsake you, but I’ll never forsake you.” It’s like James and John asking Jesus, “Do you want us to call down fire from heaven on those people?” In Texas we call that “All hat and no cattle.” It’s just not real, and it has no impact beyond the moment.

All this comes after Jesus explains what has happened to their friend Lazarus, and Jesus’ plan to go raise Lazarus from the dead. True authority and confidence against the greatest enemy brings forth all sorts of responses. In this case bravado – a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate. Maybe the disciples were impressed. Perhaps some were intimidated. But Jesus was surely neither impressed nor intimidated. He had a plan. He would raise Lazarus from the dead. Nothing will stop him – even the threat of the Jews who had just tried to kill him.

Thomas’ bravado has no lasting impact. Jesus’ mission has eternal impact. Today you may have the opportunity to confront evil, or stand in the gap in the face of death or disease. Rather than trying to impress anyone simply bring the Lord Jesus into the situation. Let him speak, act, and guide. The results will be profoundly better than anything you can manufacture, and eternally good.