On the hit list!

John 12:9-11 NKJV

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. [10] But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, [11] because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

Honestly, it's hardly believable how wicked those chief priests were.

Here tucked away in a few verses we see the murderously jealous motives hidden in the hearts of those religious leaders.

Believe me, religion is the tool of the evil one.

If Satan can't convert you into atheism, he'll make you into a religious extremist - tying you up in knots with all sorts of legalism - "do's" and "don'ts"!

So were the religious leaders back then:

Matthew 23:27-28 NKJV

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. [28] Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

How right Jesus was - for all their religious posturing - inside they were just plotting to murder those who exposed their hypocrisy.

If you truly follow our Lord Jesus, demonstrating His saving power, you too will be on the "hit list" of the overtly religious - be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist.

Many true Christians today are on the Government's "hit list" - here, in the UK, attempting to prevent silent prayer, the preaching of the Gospel in the open air!

Why that, when Muslims are allowed to pray openly on the streets of London?

It's all down to spiritual warfare - Islam etc are no threat to the evil one, but the real Jesus and His Message of Salvation will expose the lies and hypocrisy of religion.

Jesus brings everything into focus, showing up our selfish motives and hidden depravity.

So we have to shut Him up (and His followers) one way or the other.

Thankfully, back then their murderous actions rebounded to eternal salvation via the Cross.

What was meant to shut Jesus up - has echoed down the aeons of time - bringing many to receive forgiveness and everlasting life.

Now the question is: am I on the hit list for following Jesus?