Text: John 12: 9-11
Text verse: John 12:10
The chain reaction of sin is visible here: One sin leads to the next.
From chapter 7 we see that the Jews wanted to imprison Jesus, and in chapter 8 it escalates to the desire to kill Him. They wanted to kill Him because they did not agree with Him, but especially because Jesus pointed out their falsehood.
Then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the proof of his authenticity is clear for everyone to see, so much so that the Jews are left furious and they have to jump to defend their false doctrines.
The only solution to maintain their credibility is that they would now also have to kill Lazarus. After all, he is living proof that Jesus really is who He says He is. Also, many Jews had come to faith through Jesus because His credibility had been proven through both word and deed.
We also often experience this chain reaction in our own lives. One lie that involuntarily leads to another because we are trying to protect our own credibility. Perhaps someone has stolen money and then has to murder a witness so that the sin does not come to light.
James describes it as follows: “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1: 14-15).
The only way we can be freed from this stranglehold of sin is through confessing our sins. We need to see sin for what it is. Sin leads to death.
Of course, confessing to your sin is frightening, because we are worried what people are going to think of us ... Our honour, power or work will be threatened by such a confession.
That is why it is so important to see who we are in Christ. What we find in Him is worth so much more than the honour, power, work, or any earthly thing that is threatened.
In Jesus we find eternal happiness and peace. People will condemn us, but through confession we can break free from sin and therein lies a glorious consolation. We are saved!
Hence the wonderful promise: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1: 8-10).
Yes, there are consequences for the sins we commit, but by confessing you have the opportunity to turn your back on sin and death. Jesus died to create this new path for us. Grab it!
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