​No good turn...Scripture, reflection and prayer.

John 11:43-50 "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
Reflection.  How goes the saying? No good turn goes unpunished!  Why is it that when someone else does something good, or achieves success, that they are often met with an antagonistic response. Someone leading a growing Methodist Church (yes, there are plenty of these around) was told, "you must be watering down the gospel." Why isn't Spiritual blessing and growth always met by others with rejoicing? Jealousy, perhaps. Disbelief, perhaps? Well, on Sunday last at Ridgeway, there was a Spiritual breakthrough. Rejoice with us, please. Well, at the very least, please don't plot to kill anyone!

Mind you, plotting to kill Jesus came about because he had done something as awful as raise Lazarus from death...no good deed....

Prayer. Lord Jesus help us always to rejoice when we see your Holy Spirit at work and forgive us when we get a little jealous. Amen.