#133: The Bethany Paradox

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. John 11:5-6 (ERV).

Dear LORD thank you for Your Word for today. Cause that at we look steadfastly at the perfect law of liberty briefly today that you shall transform us, taking us from one level of glory to another, even in the knowledge of Yourself and Your dealings with us. Amen.

The paradox portrayed in our anchor text today is a very practical scenario that every believer comes across once in a while; probably often. The result is that we begin to ask questions in our heart, while trying to solve the paradox between what is presently happening to us and what we feel that God has been saying. Just as in our previous post, we ask in our heart "LORD do You not care...?" while God on the other hand is asking, "Where is your faith?"

The news of Lazarus' illness should have been a news to stir up urgency in Jesus' action. Yet He stayed two more days. He lingered more. He did not act immediately. First thing to note is that this was not an act of abandonment. Actually, surprisingly, contextually, this was an act of love! The bible says that He lingered for two more days before setting out on the journey because he loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He loved them all. It was not because any of the three had offended Him at this instance. How do we wrap these round our minds to understand what is going on here? Verse 4 gives us a clue:

When Jesus heard this He said, "The end of this sickness will not be death. No, this sickness is for the glory of God. This has happened to bring glory to the Son of God."

The paradox was all to the Glory of the Almighty! Clearly, God's ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts ours. But God is driving home a challenge to our hearts today: "Can your life be used to bring glory to Me, My name and My Son even in My silence, delays, lingering?". Can we trust God with our lives in the good times and most importantly in the bad times to this end: to bring glory to God and the Son of God? can your life find resonance in this song by Jonathan McReynolds (emphases in the lyrics are from me)?

May [can] your struggles keep you near the cross

And may [can] your troubles show that you need God

And may [can] your battles end the way they should

And may [can] your bad days prove that God is good

And may [can] your whole life prove that God is good

Can your life show God's love in the paradox of your situation? Can God trust you with His silence?

Apostle Paul wrote briefly on this paradox when he was writing to the Romans:

Romans 8 (NLT)

28. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

29. For God knew his people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

30. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory!

35. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have troubles or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

37. No! Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

39. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD.

Key Point: Dearly beloved, The LORD's delay does not mean abandonment. He is involved in everything happening around you. He is very much aware of your situation. And the end of everything is always for His glory if you give Him the wheels and the driver's seat. May God enlarge our hearts to understand this great truth that He is revealing to us in His mercy today. Amen. LORD go ahead to express Your glory in our lives as You please. Overshadow us, fill our hearts with Your love in the moments when You seen so distant from us. Help us to understand that You do this to us out of the abundance of Your love to us. Help us to understand Your love the way it really is - not dependent on the immediate but You working out something glorious in the end (like causing light to shine out of darkness). Amen.