John 11 & 12
It was great reading these chapters in one hit as it really painted the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and set up why the people got all excited about Jesus’ coming.
It is a wonderful story of Jesus love for a family – Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It is a story with the realness and rawness of grief in death – which for Jesus was something he was about to embrace for himself. The story begins in an interesting way with Jesus intentionally delaying His visiting this family, even though there was an urgent request to come. This alone got me thinking about the ‘urgent’ appeals of others in life, and also what I myself see as ‘urgent’ – Jesus challenges this by not being urgent…instead he sees the circumstances that were unfolding as an opportunity for people to put their faith in Him and the one who sent Him (God). The death of Lazarus would become an opportunity for faith and new life. This is the mini-picture or, if you like, the summary story of the BIG story of Jesus. God who made life overcomes death and brings new life. This is the story that we are all invited in to.
Chapter 12:11 describes Lazarus as being the reason for people putting their faith in Jesus (the catalyst to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem). I thought about what Lazarus did to become this reason…and basically all he did was to get sick and die. Well actually what was significant about Lazarus was that he had a relationship with Jesus. Obviously every day people were and are still getting sick and dieing but it is the action of Jesus in Lazarus life (or in this case death) that is a faith-enliving dynamic. When I first thought about this I wondered, “Am I a reason for people to put their faith in Jesus?” and then realised, as I’ve stated above, that Lazarus didn’t ‘do’ anything of his own, except have a relationship with Jesus. This is a great comfort and blessing to know that the most significant action I can take, to draw people to Jesus, is to be in relationship with Jesus myself and then live by and in this relationship – and if I am well or am sick it is Jesus (God) that brings people to faith – i.e. Jesus brings people to himself (see John 12:32 & 47). [Prayer - LORD thank you that you love and save and don't judge and condemn me - even though I can think of many reasons to be judged. LORD you bring people to yourself through people whom you love and through the power of your own love. LORD thankyou that I can join in your loving of this world through the new life you have given me. Help me be less urgent and more in tune with what you are wanting to do...AMEN]
