30 Days with John by Owen Emily;

Author:Owen, Emily;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4573048
Publisher: Authentic Media
Published: 2014-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

John’s Jottings

I know where Jesus is

My response:

Day 16

We received a message today. Well, Jesus did. The message came from Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. The family are good friends of ours. But now Lazarus is ill. That’s what the message was, and Mary and Martha obviously wanted Jesus to go and heal Lazarus. But when he got the news, Jesus stayed where he was for a few more days before saying, ‘OK, let’s go.’

We disciples thought about that and were not sure it was a very good idea – yes, Lazarus was ill, but Lazarus was also in Judea and Judea is where the people tried to stone Jesus not so long ago. Jesus was determined, though, and in the end we decided that we may as well go. We would die with him, if necessary.

When we got there, we were told that Lazarus had died. He had passed away four days ago. I think Martha had a point when she told Jesus that if Jesus had been there sooner, Lazarus would not have died. But she also had a point when she said that, even now, God would give Jesus whatever he asked . . . and she was right. Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the grave – and he did. Lazarus is alive and well!

Jesus wept.

That’s what the Bible tells us.

When Jesus saw how upset Mary was, he was troubled and, when he arrived at the grave of Lazarus, he wept (John 11).

For himself?

For the family?

For others?

Quite possibly all of the above, but the point is, Jesus wept.

He knew what it was like to feel emotions, to find things hard, to be faced with a situation that upset him, to need a good cry . . .

He understands.

We will go through difficult times.

We will find things tough.

But we can choose to go through them with one who understands right beside us.

He’s willing to walk with you, he wants to walk with you – but whether or not you let him walk with you is your choice.

Will you let him?

Jesus said,

Matthew 11:29:

‘ “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ’

Mary and Martha were experiencing pain.

Their beloved brother was ill, they knew that Jesus could help, so they sent for him . . . and he didn’t come.

Let’s look at this from Jesus’ point of view:

Jesus receives a message to say that his friend is ill.

He knows that people are expecting him to help.

And he knows that he can help.

He could go and heal Lazarus, right now.

And God would be praised.

But Jesus also knows that if he waits, God will ultimately be even more glorified.

Yes, it will mean people will hurt, be bewildered and struggling, know heartache, suffering, confusion . . . but a delay will also mean more glory for God. And what does Jesus decide?

He decides that the more glory God receives, the better . . . and so Jesus delays.

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