April 19, 2018 – John 11
Jesus said, "Did
I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" John
11:40
Trusting in Jesus and
remaining faithful to Him always leads to seeing His hand at work...you may be
one belief away from seeing a miracle.
Miracles come in many different shapes and sizes. But often they don’t come in the timeframe we
want. And usually, miracles don’t happen
the way we want. That’s what makes them
miracles.
If there was a family that Jesus was closest to, it was
Lazarus and his daughters. So the news
that Lazarus was dieing had to be traumatic to Jesus when He heard about
it. Yet, Jesus delayed, and then showed
up 3 days later after Lazarus’ death.
Mary & Martha both came to Jesus, grieving in their own way, but it
was Martha who was coherent enough to gain a faith lesson and witness one of
Jesus’ greatest miracles – raising her father from the dead. Martha knew Jesus WOULD raise Lazarus on
judgment day, but didn’t believe Jesus COULD raise Lazarus on that day. The time for a miracle had already
passed. Jesus could have healed Lazarus
when he was sick, not after Lazarus was already dead. But she chose to trust Jesus, and permitting
the stone to be removed from the grave, Martha witnessed a miracle beyond her
imagination. Only one belief stood in
the way of a miracle.
Miracles are usually one belief away – but not a belief in
the METHOD of a miracle. Miracles are
waiting on belief in THE ONE who decides what the miracle will be. Jesus did not save Lazarus from dieing. He didn’t race to their side as soon as they
informed him. He didn’t raise Lazarus
through some process or dramatic service.
Jesus decided what to do, and when to do it. And all Jesus wanted from Martha is for her
to believe in HIM.
Before Lazarus could be resurrected, Jesus needed the stone
away. A stone may also need removed for
us to see a miracle as well. The stone
may be physical, but also may be a sin issue, a circumstance, a timeframe, or
another impediment. Your job will be to
remove the stone. Jesus’ job is to
perform the miracle. Don’t forget
that!
When we give up
control, and stop dictating what the miracle should be, Jesus can do what He
does best. Need a miracle today? Put faith in the Miracle-worker, instead of
the method. Trust Jesus’ timing, instead
of trying to dictate your own. Leave the
miracle up to Him, and then be watching --- because He is likely already working
on the miracle you need.
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