The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So, the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” (ESV)

Have you ever had a friend talk you into trying something simply because you trusted their experience? You may have naturally rejected it, but because of their testimony, you gave in. Advertisement by word of mouth is powerful. You may ignore a commercial, but most of us trust a good friend’s word on a product. Jesus’ wonders spread by word of mouth like a good “product.” In today’s scripture, we see three kinds of people as they encounter Jesus.  

‍

The first group of people were those whose lives were radically and irreversibly changed by their direct personal encounter with Jesus. Lazarus was the poster child for this. He was DEAD! Not a single day could pass without the reminder that he was alive because of Jesus. He would never be the same.  

‍

The second group are those who were directly influenced by someone who had encountered Jesus and could not deny the real and lasting impact such an encounter had. This is all the evidence they needed to believe. These people began following Jesus and shared with those around them. The numbers of people who believed grew. They were full of faith and close in proximity to Jesus.  

‍

The third and last group mentioned in this passage are the Pharisees. Jesus shook these men’s delicate balance of status and power. It disrupted their life; so, they remained indignant, skeptical, stubborn, and distant, refusing to investigate for themselves if the rumors about Jesus being the Messiah could possibly be true. They were too proud to allow themselves to be close to Jesus.  

As with most stories in the Bible, it is eye opening to figure out where you might fit in the story had you been there. Which group do you fall into? In different ways, I identify with each group. I have heard the testimony of a trusted friend, and it has built my faith greatly. I have had a personal and lifechanging encounter with Jesus, and I’ll never be the same, and if I am honest, I unfortunately, relate to the Pharisees in their skepticism and stubbornness.  

‍

Admittedly, I am not easily “sold” on products I try. Even if my experience is positive, I am skeptical it would be for everyone, so, I likely would have been a bit reluctant on Jesus too. I have often jokingly said that God knew he needed to get ahold of my heart at a young age, because if had grown up without him, I would be too stubborn to change as an adult. I joke, knowing this statement is ultimately false because it negates the power of the Holy Spirit working. The fact that my faith is strong today is a testament that skepticism and stubbornness do not have the hold on my heart they might if I still operated only in my sinful nature.  

‍

Another way I relate to the Pharisees is that I hate to admit when I am wrong; to my knowledge, no one does. We often have difficulty believing things we have not experienced for ourselves. We may find it easier to keep our distance, and we might even scoff at the “gullible” ones, rather than diving in for ourselves. The Pharisees were so concerned with being right, they were too stubborn to examine the evidence of who Jesus was.  

‍

This whole section of Scripture seems to be a story of proximity. Maybe you have had a personal encounter with Jesus, and you’ll never be the same. Maybe you are the trusting friend who happily accepts someone’s experience as proof enough to believe. Praise God for his work in you. But maybe you would also admit some pharisaical tendencies in your heart holding you at a distance.  

‍

We don’t know how many of the Pharisees did eventually step close enough to Jesus to let that experience radically shift their view. For any that may have changed, I wish we knew what it finally took for them to believe. What we do know is that a real encounter with Jesus means a changed life, and he is always at work. So, even those with the most stubborn and skeptical hearts are not without hope. I pray that God would soften your heart, that you’d encounter Jesus and let him radically change you. I pray you would let others’ faith strengthen your own. Jesus is one friend you can wholeheartedly trust.  

God, I am so thankful you rescue us from our own skeptical and stubborn hearts. Please be with the ones struggling. I pray your love would break down barriers and that their encounter with you would be real and life changing. Help us to love and trust you and to have patience and compassion for those who take more time and proof to believe. Amen.