March 24, 2019
The Glory of God Changes Everything!
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed that you would see the glory of God? John 11:40 NIV
The Glory of God is experienced by those who believe…
I just love how our Almighty God does not give up on us. I know that He doesn’t because He has had many opportunities to set me aside, to give up on me and my dismal failures. Like, Martha, I become distracted…like Martha I become frustrated and place the blame on others…like Martha, I allow life to shift my focus…like Martha, I whine and complain; perhaps you can identify. The truth…our Loving Father teaches His children to sit still, to Sit at His Feet, to listen, like Mary, to learn what the LORD has to say…the Treasure of His Truth.
Another Visit to Bethany-The House of the Afflicted
Jesus did not give up on or forget His friends. In fact, the disciple John gives the account in his Gospel of another visit Jesus made to the home of His dear friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. During the winter, Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, lay ill and in desperation, the two sisters sent word to Jesus, to come quickly, their brother was extremely sick. They were fearful…we all know that fear.
Jesus was beyond the Jordan River, and He told His disciples that Lazarus’ illness would not end in death, rather this would occur for the Glory of God, and for the Son of God to receive Glory. And then, Jesus did something inexplicable…He delayed His departure for two days, as Lazarus’ condition worsened, to the point of his death and burial.
Forever Changed…
Jesus and His disciples arrived in Bethany, too late, in the opinion of the sisters; their broken and grieving hearts tore at the human heart of their Lord. Jesus wept, not because his friend had died; Jesus knew the glorious outcome. He wept because of the broken and grieving hearts of Martha and of Mary. He wept with those who wept; He identified with their grief. But, Jesus knew something the others did not know. This occurred so that others would believe, and His Glory would be seen by His disciples, by the Jews mourning with the family, and by Martha, Mary, and Lazarus…So that His Glory would be seen by all generations…by you and by me…
Jesus spoke to Martha, to tell her The Truth…
“…I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me, will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed that you would see the glory of God? John 11:40 NIV
Jesus approached the tomb of His beloved friend; He prayed to His Father, then The Son of God, the Savior, commanded that Lazarus rise up and walk out from within the tomb. Lazarus appeared; he was alive, coming forth from a dead man’s tomb! The Glory of God was amazing…It was awe-inspiring…It was overwhelming…and those who witnessed were…
Forever Changed!
We can be certain that Martha and Mary were terrified at the thought of losing their beloved brother to physical death. The very memory of illness and the physical loss of a dear family member or friend evokes fear and grief in all of our hearts… But, Jesus knew something Martha and Mary did not know…Jesus always sees things we cannot see and knows things we do not know…His ways are not our ways…but, we can trust Him and we can trust His Ways and His timing!
In the most desperate circumstances of life…He is there.
In the joy-filled moments…He is there.
He is present when our toddlers struggle with separation anxiety…He is there.
He is present when our high-school graduates leave home…He is there.
He is present when the empty-nested parents struggle with vacant chairs at the kitchen table, and the silence…He is there.
He is present in the private moments before a child’s wedding as the parents whisper blessings to them bless…He is there.
In the months, weeks, days, and moments of caring for aging or ill loved ones, of all ages…He is there…
He is present in our grief…Jesus grieves with you and me…and, Jesus, in all of His Glory, gives new Life!
In spite of the giant fear overwhelming Martha and Mary, Jesus was present in His perfect timing, proclaiming, “Your brother will rise again.” John 11:23
Oh yes, we remember, Jesus knew something Martha and Mary did not know…Jesus always sees things we cannot see and knows things we do not know…His ways are not our ways…but, we can trust Him and we can trust His Ways, while we wait!
While We Wait…
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed that you would see the glory of God? John 11:40 NIV
Jesus asks that question of each one of us…
Do you believe?
We can trust Him and believe when we have fears and worries that grip us, He is who He says He is.
We can trust Him and believe He uses all of our circumstances for his Glory. His faithfulness rains down and His Love reigns over our lives; we can believe…
We can trust Him and believe as He continues to write your story and my story. He understands our challenges, our joys, our celebrations; we can believe Him!
As we Journal to Easter, I pray that you and I, all of our loved ones, all people will grow in belief, even in the wait… That all would believe that He is the Faithful, Glorious God…King of Kings…Lord of Lords…and, yes, my dear friends, Jesus still knows things and sees things we cannot see, until He shows us…His Glory!
The Glory of God Changes Everything!
In His Presence we are Forever Changed…
Just as He Said
Love you in Jesus,
