It’s a curious little statement that probably gets overlooked all the time. I know I missed it until just recently. It occurs in John chapter 11 which is well-known as the occasion when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. That certainly deserves our attention as the focal point of what is going on; but notice what Jesus says at the beginning of this account.
1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick… 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
Did you catch it? Did you notice what Jesus did?
“Jesus loved (them)… so when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days…”
Jesus could have rushed in and rescued Lazarus from being sick. Jesus could have spared Martha and Mary the grief of losing their beloved brother. Jesus could have… but He didn’t! Why?
Because Jesus wanted those present to experience God’s divine presence and glory in a deeper way!
Often times what we want from God, and even other followers of Jesus, is a quick fix to our situation. We want to avoid the tough moments of life. We want to sustain our level of comfort for as long as possible. But God’s wants us to experience Him in a deeper way than is possible when the seas of life are calm.
Going to God for help is certainly not wrong; in fact it’s encouraged in Scripture (Hebrews 4:14-16). But it can get out of balance when it becomes the primary way we relate to God. Take time to consider the following statements to see which one better describes or more often depicts what you want from God.
A ragamuffin in awe of God's grace and glory... pursuing real life in Jesus.
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