The Insanity of Unbelief ∙∙
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
Ecclesiastes 10:12-13
12 Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.
13 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness.
The Power of Emotions and Their Aftermath
Human emotions, especially negative ones like anger, jealousy, and fear, can drive us to act in irrational, destructive, and even unthinkable ways. If left unchecked, these emotions can lead to decisions and actions that ignore logic and harm not only others but also ourselves.
Imagine creating something special for someone you care about. It could be a simple clay pot, a beautiful painting, or even a flower garden that took months to plan and nurture. Then, you get into an argument and feel like you “hate” each other for a while. Eventually, you make up and everything feels normal again.
But what happens to the things you made with love during that difficult time? In your anger, you might destroy them. You might throw away the very creations made for someone you love because of a moment of rage. Though temporary, that is insanity, is it not?
The Story of Lazarus Sets the Stage
The account of Lazarus in John 11 is one of the most profound and miraculous events in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, became very sick, prompting his sisters, Mary and Martha, to urgently call for Jesus to come and heal him. However, by the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already died and been buried for four days.
While Jesus could have reached Lazarus before he died, He chose not to. What was the reason for this delay? Jesus waited two days before making His way to Bethany, where Lazarus was critically ill. He could have arrived “on time” and saved the day for Mary and Martha. But the Father had something far greater in mind than just healing.
Martha’s Encounter with Jesus
In anticipation of Lazarus’s death, large crowds had already gathered. When Jesus arrived, Martha went out to meet Him, expressing her sorrow and perhaps a hint of frustration: John 11:21: “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Her words show both her deep grief and her faith in Jesus’ power to heal. Yet, Jesus did not take offense or justify His delay. Instead, He made one of the boldest, most astonishing statements while on Earth. John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
At this moment, Jesus claimed to possess the power of resurrection and life within Himself, a claim so audacious that it would be unthinkable unless it were true. But in fact, it is true. The Lord Jesus Christ proved His claim with just three words: John 11:43: “Lazarus, come forth.”
The Miracle and Its Reactions
What followed was truly breathtaking. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, walked out of the tomb alive. This miraculous event left the crowd with only two options: belief or rejection.
- Belief: Many who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah. John 11:45: “Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.”
- Rejection: However, not everyone responded with faith. Driven by jealousy and fear, the religious leaders, instead of acknowledging the truth, allowed their emotions to cloud their judgment.
The Insanity of the Religious Leaders
The religious leaders gathered to discuss the implications of Jesus’ increasing influence.
John 11:47-48: “Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. ‘What are we going to do?’ they asked each other. ‘This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.’”
Although these religious leaders are aware of the miracle, insanity sets in (John 11:46-53). They recognize that Jesus has performed an undeniable miracle. Driven by jealousy, they’re afraid that “everyone will believe in him.” They fear this will certainly spell trouble for the Nation of Israel. What could they possibly do to avoid this disaster?
Their solution, steeped in a whirlwind of emotion, tragic irrationality, was as misguided as it was heart-wrenching: they began to weave a plot to assassinate Jesus. John 11:53: “So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.”
The irony in their scheme is outrageous. They sought to kill the very person who declared Himself to be the resurrection and the source of life. Did they really think that by murdering Him, they could extinguish His impact? How long could they expect death to hold the One who had the power to raise the dead?
REFLECT & PRAY
This message emphasizes the importance of controlling our emotions and acting with honesty and good judgment. When negative feelings dominate, they can cause irrational and tragic outcomes.
Father, I recognize how easily emotions like anger, jealousy, and fear can lead me astray. Teach me to exercise restraint and wisdom, so that I may act in ways that honor You and reflect Your truth. Help me to trust in Your plans and to respond to challenges with faith rather than folly.
INSIGHT
The Power of Words: Wisdom vs. Folly
The Bible offers deep insights into the power of words, highlighting the significant difference between the speech of the wise and the foolish. Words can lift up or tear down, heal or to harm. Solomon, in his wisdom, clearly illustrates the destructive power of foolish words and the self-control and judgment that define the wise.
The Fool’s Words
The speech of a fool is characterized by chaos and destruction. Solomon vividly describes this progression: Ecclesiastes 10:13: “The beginning of his talking is folly, and the end of it is wicked madness.”
From the very beginning, a fool’s words lack value, and as they go on, their speech spirals into irrationality and dangerous absurdity. Foolish words are not only pointless but also dangerous, often causing harm to both the speaker and those listening.
Scripture compares destructive words to weapons of war, fire, and deadly poison:
- Proverbs 25:18: “Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.”
- James 3:5-6: “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness.”
- James 3:7-8: “For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
The Fleeting Nature of Foolishness
The laughter and praise of fools are fleeting and meaningless. Solomon captures this in a vivid metaphor: Ecclesiastes 7:5-6: “Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire.”
The crackling of thorns in a fire is loud and attention-grabbing, but it burns out quickly, leaving nothing of substance behind. Similarly, the words and actions of fools may seem important in the moment but ultimately lack depth and lasting value.
The Wisdom of Restraint
In contrast to the destructive and excessive speech of fools, the wise exercise restraint and discernment in their words. Solomon emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s mouth:
- Proverbs 13:3: “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
- Proverbs 17:28: “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”
The wisdom of silence is echoed in the famous words attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Silence, when paired with thoughtfulness, can often convey more wisdom than a torrent of words.
The Path of Wisdom
The wise are characterized by their willingness to listen and learn, while fools stubbornly cling to their own opinions: Proverbs 12:15: “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”
Humility and openness to correction are hallmarks of wisdom. In contrast, the fool’s arrogance and refusal to listen to advice bring about their downfall.
Words Reflect the Heart
The words we speak reflect our hearts: foolish words show a lack of self-control and wisdom, while wise words exhibit restraint and a desire to uplift others. Solomon’s teachings emphasize the profound impact of our words, urging us to use them wisely.
In the story of Lazarus, the contrast between faith and unbelief is evident. Those who witnessed the miracle and believed in Jesus experienced the power of faith, while others, driven by jealousy and fear, let their unchecked emotions lead them to dark decisions.
Proverbs 29:11: “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.”
How wise or foolish are your words and actions?
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 