I took this picture on my trip to Israel in 2006. Our guide pointed out the gravesite - and I pleaded for the driver to stop so I could get a picture.... It is not the grave Lazarus or Jesus arose from - it just shows the type of graves common at that time. Some were taller - the type a man could walk out of - but this shows the stone that would have been rolled in front of the doorway to the 'cave' and that helps provide a visual of 'the stone being rolled away'. For years I thought of the stone as a boulder rather than a disk. I am visual, so seeing the reality of what was being referenced helps me visualize as I read. It helps the Bible come alive!....................
Just a few random thoughts before I am ready to leave John 11:
We are often directed to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, recorded in Matthew 16, when he declared, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Martha's statement is another witness to that Truth, and to her personal faith in Jesus as Truth. "Yes, Lord, I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is come into the world." I paraphrased it just slightly. Different versions state it differently - was to come or is to come. She knew He was the Messiah and that he was present . . . but even with that knowledge she didn't know how that reality would play out. We don't fully realize either. We have some insight - but we see through a glass darkly. All I know is that everything is in God's hands, and hindsight is 20/20.
Another thing that occurred to me early this morning as I lay in bed thinking was the target that Jesus placed on Lazarus' back when Jesus resurrected Lazarus. And then I started thinking about what it might have been like to be Lazarus. He was a faithful follower of the Lord. In spite of his sisters' deep grief at losing him, he was safe in Abraham's bosom. His illness was resolved. His pain had ended. And after being resurrected he had to die again! There was no 'It is appointed to man once to die and after that the judgment' for him. The others were celebrating that day, but Lazarus was exemplifying the epitome of obedience. He was willing to live for Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) when he'd rather be dead.
That is a thought that had never occurred to me before. It is a reminder that we must determine to live the life the Lord designs for us even when it is not the life we think we'd choose. Being faithful in spite of circumstances matters. Not withholding praise to the Lord because of our circumstances matters. He deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances - and our most transparent and authentic worship is when we live out our lives to honor Him . . . no matter what comes our way. Mountains. Valleys. All of it is in His hands.
....................
Today is St Patty's Day! Erin go bragh! It's a family tradition of sorts to state that annually. Our middle daughter is Erin, and she loves that her name is synonymous with the old sod, even though she is only about 1/4 Irish! She's about a 1/4 each English, Irish, Scotch and German, in fact....(with a sprinkling of Dutch and Choctaw thrown in for added flavor)....but 100% Christian!
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, and may the Lord bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you, now and forever. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment