Jesus is a threat

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Just after Jesus raises Lazurus from the dead the chief priests and Pharisees say 'If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation' (John 11:48)

It's a common response to Jesus. Jesus demonstrates uniquely that he has power over death, the great enemy of humanity. But people respond by seeing this as a threat to their comfortable lives, and the positions they have earned themselves. They don't want to give their self-rule up to another authority, even if it is one who has power over death! If this isn't foolishness and misplaced pride I don't know what is! If Jesus does have authority over death then surely the only sensible and wise thing to do is to give up our self-centredness and follow him, for in him we don't have to fear death and can have true life forever.

In Acts I note there is a great emphasis on Jesus's resurrection- more than is emphasised in much Christian talk today sadly. In Acts the apostles seek to get people to see Jesus's unique power and authority over death and so make Him their ultimate authority. So if you're not a Christian, find out if Jesus' resurrection is true. If it is then it would be completely foolish not to follow Jesus.

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