The Lord's Love in Delay
John 11:1-16

The opposite of love is hatred. The words associated with love are happiness, joy and comfort. On the other hand, hate is associated with words such as pain suffering and anger.

Yet, we often collocate love and suffering together. We find it strange that someone who loves someone else would allow them to suffer.

Mary and Martha had a brother named Lazarus, and this family was loved by Jesus. At sometime, Lazarus fell grievously ill. Since the family knew that Jesus was a healer, they had sent for Jesus. Lazarus died sometime between the time Jesus received the message and Jesus started his journey to see Lazarus. It is odd for most of us that Jesus delayed his journey to save Lazarus and that He could have done more sooner.

Many of us will ask why Jesus allowed Lazarus to suffer for as long as he did. We also wonder how Jesus could let Lazarus' family suffer as they did. Presumably the family would have spent money on medicine and doctors. They also would have been worrying and feeling the pain of a loved suffering for such a long time.

Most Christians have a belief that once someone walks faithfully with the Lord, we will be exempted from problems or suffering. We may believe that our suffering is because we have done something wrong. We also tend to believe that when problems come, we call on to the Lord to solve the problems and those problems will go away. This does not always happen.

Here are three points on why God allows us to suffer and delay exhibiting His love to us.

1. God may allow long suffering in our lives to allow us to establish our faith in Him.

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4 ESV

Martha and Mary had an understanding that was limited in his physical presence.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
John 11:21 ESV

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:32 ESV

Jesus knew that He had to show Martha and her family who Jesus was. Jesus had to shake up their faith to prove and show who He was and what He was capable of doing. They had to learn that the love of Jesus is not limited by their situation or His physical presence.

Most believers share the opinion that when things are going well, God is on our side. God's love remains forever in the good times and in the bad times. Our situation does not reflect God's love for us.

the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3 ESV

2. The Lord's delay to intervene may be done for the greater good.

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
John 11:14‭-‬15 ESV

Jesus revealed to the disciples that he did not heal Lazarus sooner so that they could get benefit from the delayed healing.

We understand that at the time of this story Jesus was in the region of Judea and Jesus had almost been stoned. The disciples did not want to expose themselves to any danger. Jesus was training them to face their fears.

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
John 11:9-10 ESV

We know that Jesus is the light of the world and where Jesus is there is light. The disciples needed to face their fears of the persecutors and death. The family suffered but the disciples learned that Jesus can raise the dead and nothing happens unless Jesus permits it. Jesus knew that this was important for the disciples to be trained in understanding that Jesus was truly God.

When we lack and people minister to us, this is an opportunity to glorify God. We may never know who is benefiting from our sufferings, but God is perfect and others can benefit. God is not sadistic and does not have plans to destroy us. Rather, God will gives us His grace, and He will sustain us. We may not realize this, but God will take care of us even when we are suffering.

3. Sometimes God allows us to suffer because we need to focus on the final resurrection.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
John 11:25 ESV

As a Christian the number one thing we need to focus on is the resurrection. We must lift our hope and thoughts on the resurrection which can never be taken away from us.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38‭-‬39 ESV

Whatever our situation is, God loves us. We may be suffering, but that suffering has a purpose and a season. Let us continue t focus on Jesus and the resurrection and be confident that God is good.

Our Role as the Bearers of Light

Our Role as the Bearers of Light

John 9:1-7

Jesus is the light which came from heaven. Jesus declares this and displays this light in his actions and words. In John 9 we read about how the Pharisees and the blind man reacted to this light. Jesus reveals who we really are in the light. We also read that our obedience to Jesus allows us to experience and know God more.

Another important question is raised when the blind man first seen begging.

And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
John 9:2 ESV

There were probably different reasons why this question was asked. Tradition would tell them that it was either the man or his parents' sins which made him blind. The people asking the question may have also expressing their compassion or pity for this man and his situation. It is likely that some of the disciples may have even known this blind man since this happened around Galilee. Whatever the reason, Jesus takes the opportunity to use his answer to focus on the things that really matter.

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:3‭-‬4 ESV

Verse 4 is not the causal statement but rather a purpose statement. Verse 3 is the causal statement. Jesus dismisses the need to find blame for the man's blindness. It is more important to understand that Jesus is the light of the world and to better the life of the blind man. Jesus also reveals his task and invites us to help Him with this task.

Jesus does tells us that He is going to leave the world. Referring to his future death on the cross, Jesus tells us that He is going to leave this world. However, Jesus also invites His disciples with the word WE to do the work God gave Jesus.

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:4 ESV

As long as Christ is in me and you, Jesus' light is in us. We also have a responsibility to fulfil the tasks the Father gave to Jesus. The needs of people around us is an opportunity for us to do the work of God. We are not to find fault but find ways to better the lives of people around us.

Through His words and actions Jesus declares that we are to better the lives of people around us and be a light. But we cannot be a light if there is no light in us. We cannot impact the lives of others around us if we do not shine this light.

This light transforms our lives and thinking. It motivates us and guides us. Jesus rebukes the disciples when they ask the question who has sinned. People with the light do not ask that question. Jesus has vested the light on us and we need to be intentional in our actions to show the light and better people's lives. Jesus is waiting for us to do good.

Although we are expected to fulfill the works of God, we also need to be aware of the attitude that we have when do the works of God. The Pharisees had an attitude that put their needs ahead of others and even ahead of glorifying God. Our attitudes are developed from our judgement of people. There may be underlying causes which force people to behave the way they do. Many times we can find reasons why they act they way they do. We may have even behaved the same way if we were in a similar situation. It is only arrogance which makes us think that we are better than others.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:4‭-‬9 ESV

We need to know that we have been given a mission within a season. Jesus has given us work to do, but that work must be done in a certain time. We will not always have the opportunities that we have now. Situations change and seasons end, so all the more to act now when we can.

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:4‭-‬5 ESV

Jesus is light and gave himself so that we may also bear His light and help others. As the light of Jesus reveals to us our sins and who we really are, let us that light to discern the problems and hurt that need to be remedied in this world in a loving, understanding and accepting manner like Jesus did.

Practice a Single Obedience at a Time

Practice a Single Obedience at a Time

John 9:1-6

Without light there is darkness, and we cannot see. In ancient times, Jews believed that light came from within us which allowed us to see. Therefore it was also believed that someone who was born blind was being punished for either their parents' sins or for their own sins. In this passage, Jesus not only correctly identifies that our lives are to be opportunities to glorify God rather than opportunities to find fault, but also Jesus gives us instructions on how to know God.

When asked who was to blame for the blindman's condition, Jesus responds with two true revelations.

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
John 9: 3 NIV

Jesus is telling those who asked the question not to look to see who is at fault. He then turns around the blindman's misfortune and changes it into a work which will glorify God. Jesus is also telling us that we need to look more at what needs to be done instead of blaming others. Jesus also tells us l that there is much work to do and not much time.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9: 4-5 NIV

Jesus proceeds to smear mud on the blindman's face and tells him to bathe in Siloam. The instructions are simple and ordinary. These instructions don't require much of the blindman but to obey. If anything, the instructions might inspire doubt because they are so ordinary. Presumably many types of medicines had been administered, rituals had been performed and prayers had been petitioned with no healing and the blindness remaining. Bystanders and the blindman would have been expecting some obscure medicine, complicated instructions or esoteric ritual to perform. Jesus sets up a situation that will allow all the glory to go to God for the blindman's healing as well as allowing the blindman to perform an act of faith.

After news of the blindman's healing has gone through the village, many questioned the former blindman and how he was healed. The man relates what has happened and how he understands Jesus as who he is.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
John 9: 11 NIV

Interestingly given more time and questions, the blindman starts to have a better understanding of who Jesus is and God's purpose. We read this when the Pharisees are questioning the man who was once blind.

Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

John 9: 15-17 NIV

Many of the Pharisees remained blind to God because they were too focused on laws. By strictly keeping the laws the Pharisees became more concerned about glorifying themselves than glorifying God. Unlike the former blindman, the Pharisees could not understand Jesus as a prophet.

The man who was once blind was healed by Jesus. The former blindman did not have to do anything spectacular or impossibly difficult to obtain his healing. In fact, the blindman's obedience to a simple command given by Jesus allowed him to know Jesus and God better. This is the true blessing we should strive for. 

May we humbly be obdient to God to gain the blessing of knowing Him.

Forgiving Joseph's Way (II)

Forgiving Joseph's Way (II)

Genesis 42:8-17 
Genesis 45:1-8 

Continuing from last week's message, we look at how Joseph forgave his brothers during the time of famine. This was not easy for joseph to do considering the that he was betrayed by close family members. We also need to forgive those who are close to us whether they are family or in the Christian community. It is vital that Christians forgive since the call of forgiveness is the very heart of God.

Jesus through his life and sacrifice demonstrates the reason why we should forgive.

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 ESV

Jesus, as a person, did not want to embrace the cup, but he did. He gave the example of how we should forgive even when it is something we gravely wish to avoid.

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39 ESV

With forgiveness, it is more than just saying that you forgive the person. You cannot just forgive the person and walk away. The forgiveness Jesus speaks of includes making reconciliation. We need to make peace

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 ESV

We know that we have overcome unforgiveness when we come to the point of being concerned about the needs of those who have offended us. Joseph demonstrates this genuine concern over revenge. When Joseph first sees his brothers, he is angry to see them. After a few days, Joseph realizes that his family members are suffering.

if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so.
Genesis 42:19‭-‬20 ESV

Not only do we need to act in a way not to repay evil or desire that God punishes, but we need to allow God to work on us. We should take time to see how God is using the offense to teach you something, understand something or the offender is being used as an instrument by God.

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you
Genesis 42:5 ESV

When we do not feel like we should forgive others, we should pursue forgiveness. Joseph did not wait until his anger had calmed down. Joseph pushed himself to forgive and do what God has called him. Joseph shows us that by forcing himself to forgive, he quickens the forgiveness process.

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.”
Genesis 43:16 ESV

When we wish well those who we have forgiven, we have are on the way to true forgiveness. When we start to experience feelings of compassion rather than vengeance, we are on the way to truly forgiving.

Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.
Genesis 43:30 ESV

When someone offends you, they are usually full of guilt and quite often are looking for relief from their quilt. By forgiving those who are guilty, we allow them to heal. Holding back forgiveness only perpetuates their pain and guilt. Joseph demonstrates that forgiveness to his brothers. We too need to forgive those who are in need our fellowship.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Romans 12:17 ESV

Joseph also show that true forgiveness is like true love. It does not set out to harm or embarrass others. When we truly forgive someone, we try to allow them to save face.

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
Genesis 45:1 ESV

Joseph knew that his brothers would be deeply shamed if there sins were exposed to everyone. Instead Joseph confronted his brothers after everyone was dismissed. He did not talk about them to others or explain in great how wrong they were.

May we act like Joseph to allow love to reign in our hearts so forgiveness can manifest and God be glorified.