Today’s Tasting: John 11
Jesus is ministering to the crowds when he gets word that a dearly beloved friend of His is sick and dying. Purposefully, He waits two days before announcing that He wants to return to Bethany, knowing that his friend Lazarus has died by now. His disciples don’t want him to return to that area because the Pharisees and the Sadducees have ordered his arrest and are plotting to kill Him.
Today’s Nourishment: Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. But, when Martha sent word to the Lord that her brother was dying, Jesus did not rush back to heal him; even though one word from Him would have made the dying man well. Jesus held to a greater plan that would glorify the Father, God, and help others believe in Him as the One sent by God.
Upon His return to Bethany He spoke with Martha and Mary and seeing their deep distress at the loss of their brother, (v: 33), “He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled – He chafed in His spirit and He sighed and was disturbed. Jesus wept.” And in verse 38, we read, “Now Jesus sighing repeatedly and deeply disquieted, approached the tomb.”
Jesus as Messiah is both fully man and fully God. There is nothing too difficult for Him. Three words were spoken to bring this dead man back to his family, and Jesus knew fully what He was about to do. One would think that this would be a piece of cake for Him. So, why was he so distraught? Why was He so moved in this situation?
I believe because Jesus loved them deeply, He was distressed by their distress. He was moved by their sorrow and pain. He felt their anguish like no other. He had an intimate relationship with them and since they hurt, he hurt.
Jesus as Lord and Savior longs for that same intimate relationship with you and me. He is moved by your pain, moved by your sorrow too, and mostly moved by your faith in Him.
He has all the answers to peace and wholeness through His word—the Bible. He doesn’t always answer the way we want. Sometimes what we want never comes, but God will always be glorified and there will always be a path to Jesus in our pain and suffering, in our tough and sometimes impossible situations.
What are you facing right now? Give it all to Jesus. Live with faith in Him to work it all out. Trust Him, lean on Him. Weep with Him. Get intimately familiar with His word. Then, wait for Him and praise Him while you wait.
Share your story of how Jesus holds a greater plan for your life:
Blessings,
June Smith
San Antonio, TX
mjunesmith@gmail.com
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