March 18, 2023
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 8 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.61 through 4.64 (pages 119-122)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The dedication of the disciples following Jesus is so amazing. They left their families and jobs and followed because they knew He was the Son of God. They trusted completely and when faced with going back to Jerusalem where they knew the Pharisees wanted Jesus dead they still followed knowing like Thomas said “we will die there with Jesus”
I loved the obvious emotions shown by Jesus as well. The realization that He became a man and experiences the joy, the sadness, and the anger life brings us. The idea that He walked in our shoes to deepen His relationship with us and that He would understand us in a way we could never understand Him!
On lent Day 8
Martha and Mary sent someone to tell Jesus that their brother Lazarus is sick. Rember that Jesus already knew them for he had stayed at their house and they were friends. But Jesus delayed two more days. Along the way both sisters of Lazarus came to Jesus at different times and Jesus comforted them both. Jesus took his time in coming to where Lazarus was. Even by waiting for Mary to come to him. By the time that Jesus had arrived it had been 4 days, Lazarus was not only dead but he began to smell. This was to prove God`s power over death. He had just proclaimed that He is the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. [ John 11;25]. But Jesus still wept for he had compassion for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Then He spoke with power [Lazarus come forth] And Lazarus did] Then he directed the people to unbind him. This is a reminder that God wants us to do our part. Good thing that Jesus only called for Lazarus. For others might had also risen from the dead. But God only needed to be glorified through Lazarus. Thank God that we have an all powerful and knowing God.
Day 8
4.61-4.64
What a great lesson in Jesus power over death. Jesus could have been with Lazarus when he was sick. But on purpose he stayed away to show the power of God. Doesn’t matter what your circumstances. Jesus can stand and bring you back from death if that be His will to show His power, to have doctors and an entire hospital in amazement. Why did Jesus weep? It seems to show his physical emotion and grief with these people. So he weeps with us in our sorrows! To think of all the emotions Jesus felt. So that we can always feel comfortable going to him. How can you still refuse to believe when you know Lazarus was dead for 4 days. And now alive. !!! I would throw in the towel on this miracle. They not only plotted to kill Jesus but to kill Lazarus as well.
Day 8 4:61-4:64
Just wanted to point out to Mark Johnson that Martha got it right this time. 😉
Mary stayed back at the house and Martha went out to greet Jesus.
Jesus said, “your brother will rise again and be alive again.”
He says, “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live and never die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Martha, do you believe this?”
Martha answered, “yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God. You are the one who was coming into the world.”
What a privilege to know and follow Jesus. He frees us from a dependence on sin and thereby frees us from being one who is influencing people to sin, especially influencing young ones to do wrong. Certainly it is worse when we do those things than just sinning ourselves. And yet He also allows us to be the kind of people who apologize for the wrong we have done as well as going to people and warn them about doing wrong. Confession, repentance and forgiveness are powerful dynamics in human relationships and all are undergirded by the influence and truth of Jesus in our lives. We can be to other people what they need us to be for them because Jesus is to us what we need Him to be for us. Because of Him, we can have the attitude of a servant and not need praise or reward to come to us in our service but simply be glad that we have done what the Master has instructed us to do. And He allows us to believe great things because He is able to accomplish great things!
And the raising of Lazarus is simply amazing. Jesus chooses to stay away because He knows that people know that He can heal him, but Jesus wants to do something bigger. Both sisters comment on the fact..hey Jesus, we are close…we know you care…and if you had only been here our brother wouldn’t have died. But Jesus wanted to wake him up…what a great play on words with the apostles. And what a powerful testimony about Himself that He welcomes Mary and us to believe…I am the resurrection and the life…whoever believes in Him will never really die. There is nothing better than that. And yet it is one thing to say it…it is another thing to do it. And no one really knows what is going on but Jesus….are you sure you want us to roll the stone away? Do you know how bad that is going to smell? And how amazing it must have been for Jesus to raise someone from the dead who was good and dead…no doubt or question of the shear magnitude of this miracle!!! Again how privileged we are to call Him Savior and Lord!
Jesus said the death of Lazarus was for God’s glory that his Son would be glorified through it. Jesus thought it was good that he was not there when his friend died so he could do a miracle that would result in more people believing in him. He states to Martha the importance of belief in him – he is the resurrection and the life and whoever believes will live even though they die. And when he prays to God, again he states that he is raising Lazarus from the dead so that the people would believe that God sent him. Many did believe, but it also triggered the Pharisees to start thinking seriously about how they were going to kill him.
Day 8