For no particular reason, I have taken a couple of days away from the Unexpected Adventure. This evening I am finishing my study of tomorrow's Sunday School lesson. The story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus has several layers and a lot of cud to chew. John 11:17-44
While I have heard the story of Lazarus' resurrection many times before, new insights/wonderings were abundant this time through.
New Insight- When Mary and Martha are visited in Luke 10:38-44, Mary is the one attentive to Jesus and Martha was the doer of household duties. The keeper of the hearth. In Luke's story, Jesus gently rebukes Martha for not choosing spending time with Him (Jesus) over household chores. It appears that Martha took Jesus correction to heart. In John 11, we learn that it was Martha who ran to meet Jesus while Mary stayed at home this time. Many are the times that Jesus has corrected me, but I did not learn the lesson as quickly as Martha.
Wondering- Were Mary and Martha accusatory in their statements, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died," or were they just stating a fact?
New Insight- I believe that M and M were disappointed and angry with how Jesus chose to handle their brother's illness/death. And being fully God, Jesus knew this even if M and M were not completely honest with their feelings. HOWEVER, this did not cause Jesus to refuse to come to their aid. It is okay to let God know our hurts, disappoints and anger, but like Mary we must still believe, "that you (Jesus) are the Christ, the Son of God, the One coming to the world."
Wondering- What were Lazarus' first words? Was he hungry? Thirsty? Where did his soul reside during those four days of death? Was he upset to return to life on earth with its pain, suffering, mosquitoes and sand fleas?
New Insight- Lazarus' resurrection is not really the main focus of this story. I believe the important messages of this story are:
1. Wait patiently for the Lord- It took Jesus days to arrive but the wait was worth it!
2. It is okay to be 100% emotionally honest with God. Mary and Martha certainly were, and Jesus still resurrected their brother.
3. Never, never quit believing that God can do anything in your life. Martha even believed that Jesus could resurrect the dead.
4. Obey the Lord. They moved the grave stone even though Martha reminded Jesus "by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."
5. It is easy to give verbal trust to the Lord. In verse 22 Martha tells Jesus, "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” But by verse 39 when she has to walk the walk by moving the grave stone, that confidence in the Lord starts to wane.
More thoughts on M, M and L?
you spoke of layers in the M, M,& L story and mentioned one briefly...Where was Lazrus' soul (life force) during those days? We talk of being in heaven one second after our death, but does this somehow contradict that belief?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Jesus cry in a "loud voice?"
Did Lazrus have the choice to say "No"?
Why did Jesus have people remove the burial strips? He could have had Lazrus come out without them.
When they were removed, was Lazrus naked?
Was this miracle all for the purpose of demonstrating his divinity, or was some of it sort of a "special miracle" for "special friends"?
Was this family the only people (besides the disciples) for whom Jesus developed a special, human affinity during his lifetime?
Had Jesus REALLY called for Mary? (v 28)
Why did Mary wait until she heard that Jesus had signaled here out before she went to Jesus? (29)
Was it cruel of Jesus to make M & M suffer grief for four days?
Be careful what you ask for. You ended the blog with "any thoughts". You got em.
My thoughts on your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Jesus calling out in a loud voice was just another way He chose to perform a miracle. We see Jesus choosing a variety of way to perform miracles. I think it is part and parcel with the comment that Jesus makes in verses 41-42.
v28- Mary goes to Jesus when He calls for her. Perhaps she did not go out to Jesus with Martha because Mary was still very angry with Jesus for allowing her brother to die. How often do we not go to Jesus because we are mad at Him?
I am not sure it is right to attribute cruelty to Jesus Christ. That would be attributing cruelty to God every time an innocent dies today. The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead was a much greater demonstration of God's power than a healing of a sickness. The four days I think are a lesson to us that even when we think all hope has gone, God can still work in a miraculous mamner.
Perhaps the loud voice was so everyone there would know it was Jesus who had done it. This miracle was the final straw for the Pharisees. It was this one that intensified their decision to kill him. He knew it would have that effect. It was just one more nail he "drove in his own coffin."
ReplyDeleteOf course Jesus' delay was not an act of cruelty. I brought it up because unsaved people (and perhaps some who are saved) would view it that way. Throughout Jesus' career he had to be constantly emhasizing that fact that he was, indeed, divine. The delay just made the miracle seem that much more unlikely and difficult to the participants.
Isn't it wonderful for us to know that Jesus is always calling for us to join him?