Tuesday,
September 29, 2020
John 11
I’ve
been discussing a difficult situation with a close friend and I admitted to her
that I’ve felt like both Mary and Martha when they told Jesus, “If you had not
delayed Lazarus wouldn’t be dead.”
It
seems we are very restless as we wait on Jesus.
At least I am. But there is
something I learned while sitting here in Chapter 11. The New Testament teaches that God the Father
raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 6:4; Acts 2:32). Just yesterday, we read John 10
Jesus
has the authority to raise from the dead whomever He will – including Himself.
What
makes this situation I have been sharing with my friend so difficult is this
division of believing in Jesus (v. 5-6).
As unbelief leads us to sin and since sin leads to death, I have a
sincere concern for the person(s) involved in this situation. The sin of unbelief leads to death.
I
have often said I don’t understand why it’s so difficult to believe for
some. Life is tough. I know I’ve had my own personal
hardships. But faith in Jesus Christ for
destroying my death sentence, keeps me going.
I know my own sins place me where I deserve to die. Some people can try to tell me, “we are all
good people”, true, there are a lot of good people out there – but not in
heaven. Romans 5:6-8 tells us this – but
we must believe.
1
Corinthians 13:4-7 is written on the front cover of my bible. I was once told to change the word ‘love’ to
God, because we know that God is love.
But on this journey called life, we believers are striving to reflect
the love of Christ and if God and Christ are one, then try changing ‘love’ to
your name. Now, don’t beat yourself up
here when you don’t measure up.
***The
Power of Sin is the Law
Do
you believe? Picture yourself with Jesus
standing next to you, like He did to Martha.
“Do you believe? If you do – I
will be your resurrection. If you don’t
– I won’t”.
In
Luke 16, someone pleaded with Jesus to send a Christian who had died back from
the dead so that his family would believe.
Here’s what Jesus said, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets {if
they do not see enough of my truth and glory and beauty in God’s Word} neither
will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
A
few days after Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus came to Lazarus’ house
with His disciples to have dinner (John 12:1-8). Here’s a guy who was dead for 4 days and now
he’s sitting across the room – he’s alive and well. And the disciples had witnessed it! Including Judas! Mary takes some expensive ointment and puts
it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.
It was a lavish way of saying, “Thank you. I love you.”
Ladies, this is what believing looks like. Loving Jesus so much you will give Him
everything you believe is valuable.
But
Judas was angry. Four days ago he saw
Lazarus raised from the dead. He was now
having dinner with him. Why was he so
angry? (John 12:5-7) Because he loved money.
If
you don’t believe in Jesus – if He’s not your trusted Savior – it’s not because
you lack sufficient evidence that He is true and glorious and beautiful. It’s because you love something more.
This
one-of-a-kind death.
This
one-of-a-kind resurrection has been carried out by
This
one-of-a-kind Person
Who
is more valuable and more beautiful than anything you could possibly possess
(even your children)
And
He offers Himself
Freely
to everyone!
I’m
sure we all know someone who doesn’t believe or someone struggling to
believe. Perhaps today we should offer
our time to pray for the unbelievers to see the glory of Jesus.
Perhaps
today would be a good day to ask God what may be in the way of loving Him
entirely. Is it money? Is it your time? Is it food or a drink? Is it someone? Is it your pride? Are you seeking something for yourself –
instead of God receiving the glory?
Everything must be crucified with Christ to experience that complete joy
in Christ.
Blessings,
Lisa
