Weighed in the Balance

John 11:14-15 – “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe.”

“Lazarus is dead.” – Christ made the pronouncement – Just as you and I will someday be pronounced dead. But in this instance, the death of Lazarus was not the worst thing that could have happened. Worse than that would be if Mary, Martha, or the disciples had continued living but in unbelief. Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead. I’m glad I wasn’t there when he died.” But you may notice he added “for your sakes.” That meant He had a lesson to teach through Lazarus’ death that He could not have taught if He had been there and healed Lazarus and kept him from dying. That may sound cold, cruel, and callous, but the Lord was more interested in saving the souls of lost men than saving the lives of saved men.

You see everyone in this world faces the same fate as Lazarus – all will die. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” What makes the difference is how we face death – in what condition we face death – the condition of our spirit when we face death. The Bible tells us that until we accept Christ our spirit is dead within us, and at the moment of salvation He quickens, or makes alive, our spirit. If we come to the end of our physical life with our spirit still dead, then are we dead eternally. But if our spirit has been made alive, then when we face death it is with eternal life in view. There are some examples of this in the Bible.

First look at Daniel 5 at the Babylonian king Belshazzar. He was satisfied with the life he was living. He was living a life of luxury – eating – drinking – partying – blaspheming God. He had made his plans as if he would live forever. He knew that when his father died, then he would be the sole ruler of Babylon – his life was all mapped out. But – when the warning came from God – and in a big way – through a disembodied hand writing judgment on the wall – he took no heed. Daniel translated the writing, the gist of which is in Daniel 5:27 – “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” That night God took his soul and divided his kingdom between the Medes and Persians.

Now look to Luke 12:16-21 at the rich farmer. He was very prosperous – he already had much riches – now the soil delivered greatly and made him even richer. He reaped exceeding abundantly, made plans for the future, and settled back to live in ease. Look at what he says in verse 19, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Yet, in the next verse, God called him a fool and pronounced judgment on him – “This night will thy soul be required of thee.” He was, as Belshazzar, weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Next in Luke 18:18-23 we find the rich young ruler. He realized he was found wanting and came to Christ to seek eternal life. Yet he was not willing to give up everything for Him. Verse 23 says, “And when he heard this [sell all thou hast], he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.” He had a head knowledge, but not a heart knowledge.  He was still weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Lastly, look at Acts 9:1-9 at the Pharisee named Saul. When he was persecuting the Christians, he was weighed in the balance and found wanting – yet when it was brought to his attention, his response was “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He corrected the situation – he gave up everything, including his life, to Christ - God even gave him a new name, Paul, to reflect his new life. Look at his testimony in Philippians 3:7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” He was no longer found wanting. Oh that each of us would follow his example.

Quote – “You may live it up, but you’ll never live it down.” – Dr. Phil Kidd

"Lord, One day I was weighed in the balance and found wanting - I was bound in the slave market of sin - I was lost in deep despair.  But Lord, then you stepped on the scale and gloriously saved me. Thank you for your precious salvation. Amen."