September 16, 2013

“Sometimes, Waiting for God Stinks”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

John 11:1-44

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Most are very familiar with this account.

Let’s focus in on a couple of details.

Note the relationship between Lazarus and Jesus
“Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters.
They were close.
Jesus spent time, much time, with them.
Jesus declared that the sickness was not to death.
Jesus declared that the hard time was for the glory of God...so that the Son of God may be glorified in it.

Jesus loved so much that when He received the word he waited two days.
Huh?

Then, Jesus went.
When Father said.
He went back to where the Jews wanted to kill Him.
Jesus’ disciples were not excited about it.

They must go.
“Our friend” Lazarus was asleep.
The disciples thought actual sleep.
Jesus meant dead.

I chuckle at Thomas’ response.
“Let’s all go die with Him…”
Man so readily seeks the role of martyr.

Jesus first encounters Martha.
Martha knew that her brother would have lived if Jesus had been there.
Was she accusing? Likely, though without sin. Just in pain and despair.
Jesus tells her Lazarus would live.
Martha acknowledges that resurrection was coming, but she was not thinking immediately.
Jesus did not clarify.
Martha went to fetch Mary.

Mary said the same thing to Jesus that Martha had.
Jesus responded differently.
He saw her weeping.
He was the weeping for those with her.
He was deeply moved in spirit.
He was troubled.
He wept.

Some saw His love.
Some accused...could He not have done something?

Jesus arrives at the tomb.
He commands the stone to be removed.
Martha then artfully pronounces the great line from the KJV - “By this time he stinketh.”

Jesus reminds Martha of their conversation.
Believe.
See the glory of God.

Jesus speaks to Father.
Jesus speaks to Lazarus - “Come forth”

Lazarus does. Intriguing.
How did he physically come forth when his hand and feet are bound by wrappings?
He did he see with his face wrapped?
Did the Lord call forth the body of Lazarus to relocate it? I think so.

Jesus then tells those there to unbind him and let him go.

Sometimes, waiting for God stinks.

The Lord could have traveled to Lazarus days earlier.
Why did He not?
Because Father had not told Him to.
It is that simple.

Jesus only did the things that Father told Him to, so we can assume that He only went when told.

The Lord is calling us to unbind those that He has brought to life.
Are we doing so?

Religion, for the most part, binds rather than frees.

Perhaps we do not see the glory of God because we do not believe.

Do you believe?
Really?
Truly?

Are you bound or are you free?