Jesus received word his friend Lazarus was sick. Did he immediately respond and go to Bethany to heal his friend? No, he delayed for several days. If he had gone right away then his friend would be one among many that Jesus healed. The women expected healing but it was not to be. They both confronted Jesus and said, "If you had been here, our brother would not have died."
But the man was dead, very dead and had lain in the tomb for four days. Lazarus was beyond healing, he was lifeless. A man may have the gift of healing, but only God can give life to a lifeless body. When Jesus called out to Lazarus, the Lord of Life was speaking, not just a friend of theirs with the gift of healing. It was time for Jesus to reveal his true identity and it happened after he made those ladies wait.
God's timing is precise and has amazing results. He can bring life to us. He can do more than heal us or deliver us from sin. Jesus can transform us by his Spirit's power. This transformation into new life takes time and our cooperation. We may have to wait sometimes and be still, knowing he is doing an unseen work in us. When we believe and receive what Jesus has to offer, we have life as we never experienced it before. We shake off the grave clothes of trying to earn our way to heaven and joyfully come alive in Christ. Then, our good works come out of our love for God and for people. doma
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment