"But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus." vs10-11

This is why we are persecuted, because others see Jesus through us. Therefore, Satan is against us, and he’s the god of this world. He doesn't want others to see Christ. “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them [2 Cor 4:3-4].”

He doesn't care if people are religious. They can sing and quote scripture. He loves preaching without Christ. His job is to blind men to the gospel, so they can't be saved, because he wants us in the Pit. He has wrath against the church, so he persecutes us with slaughter. He does whatever he can to keep us from preaching Christ. He uses entertainment and controversy. He uses anti abortion campaigns. He loves to use morality and legal preaching. He's the one who bewitched the Galatians [Gal 3:1]. Therefore, know what the war is all about. It's to keep us from Christ with religious deeds and every distraction. He loves to use racism and politics, so we don't preach Christ.

Therefore, fill your soul with the gospel and war against Satan. Know that you're in for a battle, but he cannot win. You have God's help and sure victory. Extend the kingdom.

Secondly, there is a reward for those who follow Jesus! vs20-26

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

The Father is going to honor us above our wildest dreams. We have the riches of heaven and abundant life on earth. We have a life with meaning, joy, and gladness, as we’re enabled to serve God. Luke 1:74-75, “That we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” We have the comfort of the Spirit, now. Soon, we’ll enter Paradise, escape hell, and rejoice forever. Surely, He’s a God who pays back. Ps 58:11, “So that men will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.”

Satan tells us there is no reward, and multitudes perish under this lie. They believe the Serpent, who says, "You will be like God." He says, “You have the right to choose your own way, and following Jesus is not it. There are too many trials, denials, and no pleasure.” This deception began in the Garden, and now it is antiChrist. Hear me. Anything but a Christ-focused life is Satanic. When we lay it all down, however, to follow Him, then we gain. Just as He served the Father and is rewarded, even so, our best life is serving the Son. He gives security, and He’ll be with us forever. When others forsake us, He gives Himself more abundantly [Ps 27:10].

Thirdly, we have the light briefly, so we must believe while we can! vs27-36

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

We can’t let these things slip. The hour has come, they cannot pass us by. It must not be said about us, as Jeremiah wept,

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,

and we are not saved.” --Jer 8:20

These things broke his heart, because the people MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY. We don’t want to miss so great a privilege as having the gospel! “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

These things have eternal consequences: heaven or hell is on the line. We have eternal souls, and we must go somewhere. It is not true that we’ll be annihilated, or our infinite Lord would not have suffered on the cross: It didn’t just take His blood; it took His agony, when He poured out His life in the full endurance of eternal death. If He only made it with strong crying and tears, then how will you handle eternal hell? Hear Him cry out,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” --Ps 22:1

He wept, moaned, and pleaded, but God did not answer. He was forsaken in a way that we cannot imagine. No man can describe the agonies of hell, but it is crying out to God with no answer, forever. It is soul torment and mental anguish; it is the memory of a life squandered! Luke 16:25, “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you receive your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and your are tormented.” It is horrible. We must walk in the light.