Title: Greater Believing
Author: Tony Nester
Text: John 11:1-44
"Lord, the one whom you love is ill." Lazarus was dying. Martha and Mary wanted Jesus to come before it was too late.
Their plea alarmed the disciples. Their home was in Bethany, a short two miles from Jerusalem. The disciples wanted to be nowhere close to the city. Jesus had enemies there. He had said and done things that had disturbed and angered the religious authorities who presided over the Temple and who enforced Jewish law. They were rumors that these same authorities wanted Jesus brought up on charges of blasphemy. There was talk of stoning him to death. Stay out of Judea - that was how the disciples saw the situation.
But the disciples knew Jesus had a special affection for this family. Whenever he was in Jerusalem, the hospitality at Bethany beckoned. Martha made sure everything was just right when Jesus was their guest. Mary demonstrated her love for Jesus with extravagant acts of devotion - she had cleansed his feet with ointment and dried them with her hair. And Lazarus, well, it's enough to repeat what John's Gospel says - Jesus loved him. Surely, Jesus would go to Bethany. He would not delay.
And so, the disciples were surprised but relieved when Jesus announced, "this illness does not lead to death."
But, like us, the disciples often only heard what they want to hear. Yes, Jesus had said, "This illness does not lead to death." But then he had said, "It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." The disciples were focused on safety; Jesus was focused on glory.
Two days later Jesus revived his disciple's anxiety. "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." Still not wanting to put their lives at risk, the disciples argue that things will work out by themselves. No need to go - Lazarus will surely wake up from his sleep. Let him be. Keep us away from Judea.
This was when Jesus chose to speak in plain words ...
Author: Tony Nester
Text: John 11:1-44
"Lord, the one whom you love is ill." Lazarus was dying. Martha and Mary wanted Jesus to come before it was too late.
Their plea alarmed the disciples. Their home was in Bethany, a short two miles from Jerusalem. The disciples wanted to be nowhere close to the city. Jesus had enemies there. He had said and done things that had disturbed and angered the religious authorities who presided over the Temple and who enforced Jewish law. They were rumors that these same authorities wanted Jesus brought up on charges of blasphemy. There was talk of stoning him to death. Stay out of Judea - that was how the disciples saw the situation.
But the disciples knew Jesus had a special affection for this family. Whenever he was in Jerusalem, the hospitality at Bethany beckoned. Martha made sure everything was just right when Jesus was their guest. Mary demonstrated her love for Jesus with extravagant acts of devotion - she had cleansed his feet with ointment and dried them with her hair. And Lazarus, well, it's enough to repeat what John's Gospel says - Jesus loved him. Surely, Jesus would go to Bethany. He would not delay.
And so, the disciples were surprised but relieved when Jesus announced, "this illness does not lead to death."
But, like us, the disciples often only heard what they want to hear. Yes, Jesus had said, "This illness does not lead to death." But then he had said, "It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." The disciples were focused on safety; Jesus was focused on glory.
Two days later Jesus revived his disciple's anxiety. "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." Still not wanting to put their lives at risk, the disciples argue that things will work out by themselves. No need to go - Lazarus will surely wake up from his sleep. Let him be. Keep us away from Judea.
This was when Jesus chose to speak in plain words ...
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