Whatta Ya Mean 'Dead'?

John 11 is a study in contrasts. Is Divine delay a sign of reluctance? Does God seem to ignore our deepest concerns when the way out is a 'God-thing'--'If He doesn't do it, it won't be done!"?
Lazarus is sick--deathly sick--and the M&M sisters are at the hand-wringing stage. A "Where is Jesus when you really need Him" predicament. Perhaps you have been, or are now, there.
So they solicited the help of friends to get Jesus in the mix, but they returned following their meeting with Him (prayer), empty handed. "Said He would come later" was their report. Later? What is this 'later'?
John paints the scene for us--after receiving the impassioned plea for His healing presence, Jesus remained at the same place with the disciples. At Bethany, the hand-wringing continues.
When Jesus announces to His followers that it is now time to honor the request for His presence, He says, "Lazarus is dead and I am glad I was not there, to the intent the you might believe." "Glad I was not there!?"
It seems that many times the jubilation of our hearts is tied to the satisfaction of having our creature comforts met: wellness of the body, relief from fretful conditions, sufficient funds to meet both expected and unexpected expenses, a car that fires up immediately--gets 50 miles per gallon and never has flat tire, and children who are exceptionally bright, marry well and produce perfect offspring.

But when a snag is encountered we, like the M&M sisters, enlist our friends to seek Jesus on our behalf because this just isn't supposed to be happening to us!

But Lazarus did die!

How important it is when that which you love and have devoted so much attention and have invested such fervent prayer in dies, that you do not bury your hopes with it. Jesus had said, "I'm going to Bethany to awaken Lazarus."

Read the story once more. It is never too late for Jesus to show up. Pehaps you are one who has seen a much prayed-over thing in your life die in spite of your best efforts. A failed marriage, child gone astray, business gone belly up, a special friendship derailed by something beyond your control.

Now is not the time to bury your hope.

Jesus was on the way long before He made His appearance to Mary & Martha.
Each said, "If you had just been here . . ." He did not rebuke them for their tears and expressed sorrow, but wept with them. Then He said, "Let's face the problem together, take me to the tomb."

You know the story, now let's roll it forward to your 'tomb'. Jesus will speak new life into your circumstance and cause the dream He has given to live again! See Him standing at your side, sympathizing with you, speaking to your challenge. Now see that vision, that dream, coming to you--just waiting to be loosed to move unhindered to fulfillment!

Whatta ya mean, "Dead"?

More Later

Company's Coming Down The Road

The message was unexpected, almost threatening: We are sitting outside your door; we are here!
A low-slung Mercedes, black in color, had pulled in our drive, almost blocking us in, with little chance for escape. Then, as the couple leaned closer to their windshield, we could make them out more distinctly: it was Ken and Jean Scrivner, all the way from Tulsa, via Asheville. Except for the consumation of groceries, these folks are harmless!
Jean is Bonnie's (My wife) sister with her husband Ken. Whoopee! It is always a glad day when they come!
The Good News is that as a family with strong belief in the Lord Jesus, we treasure our times together.

More next time!