Did Jesus Offend Against Deuteronomy 18:10-12 When He Raised Lazarus from the Dead?
The passage from Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly outlines certain prohibitions, including the practice of divination and necromancy, among others. Critics sometimes argue that Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead by divine means might be perceived as a form of magic or necromancy, which would violate these laws.
Spiritual Authority and the Nature of Jesus
To address these concerns, it is essential to understand the nature of Jesus and His actions. John 1:4 and John 14:6 state explicitly that Jesus himself is the source of life:
In John 1:4, the text reads, 'In him was life and the life was the light of men.' This means that Jesus is the origin, the very essence, of life and light.
Moreover, in John 14:6, Jesus declares, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' Here, Jesus underscores His unique and indispensable role as the way to the Father and to eternal life.
Debate with Religious Leaders
The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, often accused Jesus of performing miracles through sinister means. For instance, in Matt 12:22-37, they claimed that Jesus was driving out demons through Beelzebul, the prince of demons. However, Jesus provided a nuanced response to these accusations:
'Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and he healed him, so that the man could both speak and hear. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
And if I, by Beelzebul, drive out demons, by whom do your people drive them out? Then they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”’ (Matt 12:22-37)
Contrasting Jesus' Miracles with Magico-Religious Practices
Jesus' response to the Pharisees’ accusations highlights the stark difference between His miracles and magical or demonic practices. He emphasizes that His actions are not divided and are based on divine authority. By binding Satan (figuratively tying up the strong man), Jesus demonstrates His spiritual power and authority over evil. This is a clear indication that His actions are rooted in divine, not demonic, authority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead, far from offending against Deuteronomy 18:10-12, exemplifies His unique and divine authority, aligning with the nature of God as expressed in John 1:4 and John 14:6. Through these miracles, Jesus reveals His divine nature and mission, further manifesting the truth that He is the way, the truth, and the life.