A Couple of Great Questions

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Pete

I like to think that they were sincere. But, honestly, they were sincerely bad. They each came from their own place to be with Job in order to be his comforter. But instead of bringing solace, they only added to his suffering. Instead of bringing peace to Job’s soul, they thought it better to give him a piece of their mind.

And here’s the thing about these guys, some of their observations were right on. It was their application that, for the most part, kind of missed the target. And, though their answers were mostly out to lunch, they did ask some pretty good questions.

A couple of great questions caught my attention this morning. Though they were asked as rhetorical questions, Bildad thinking the answers were obvious, I find myself in awe afresh as I chew on the answers none of those guys could have imagined.

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “Dominion and fear are with God; He makes peace in His high heaven. Is there any number to His armies? Upon whom does His light not arise? How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in His eyes; how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!”

(Job 25:1-6 ESV)

“How can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone born of a woman be pure?” (NLT) They can’t. That, for Bildad & Co., was the obvious, no-brainer answer.

But I find myself, like a kid in a classroom waving his hand wildly so the teacher can see it, wanting to shout, “Ooh, Ooh! I know, I know! Ask me! Ask me!”

How can those born of woman, but maggots and worms (a tad dramatic I think) when compared to God’s holiness, be without spot before Him? How can any man or woman hope to plead righteousness before the awesome God who alone has eternal dominion over all things? I know! I know! Sunday School answers for 100, Alex. Who is Jesus!

The same God who makes peace in His high heaven has made provision for peace on sin-stained earth. And that, through Himself. By sending the Christ. His blessed Son, God even God, taking on flesh in order to make peace through the cross. Making redemption possible. Making release from sin attainable. Making regeneration–worms and maggots of earth becoming new creations as sons and daughters of heaven–available.

How then can a man be right before God? By being in Christ. Because “for our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor. 5:21).

How can an ordinary Joe, or ordinary Job for that fact, stand guiltless before a holy Judge? Through an eternal Mediator. One who not only advocates on their behalf but who, Himself, has paid the price in full for their transgression so that God no longer sees them in their sin, nor deals with them according to their iniquity. Pure before God because God has removed their transgression from them.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103:11-12 ESV)

He who makes peace in heaven has brought peace to earth by laying on His Son “the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6).

Because of a couple of great questions, what wondrous recollection. What soul-satisfying reflection.

And we’re only getting started. December isn’t even here, but the anticipation of celebrating God’s great answer to the Bildad’s unanswerable question has begun. Oh, that I might maintain that focus over the next days and weeks with all that’s going to compete for my attention and affections.

Lousy comforters. Poor application-makers. But great question-askers. A catalyst to reminding us of a great salvation and a great, great God!

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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To Love Him Is To Know Him

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Pete

To know me is to love me. I’m thinking most folks have at least heard the cliché. Guessing also that many of us have used it. Either as a plea, or as a pardon. A plea for others to spend the time to truly get to know us–a plea for meaningful, deep down relationship. A pardon when it’s said to excuse those little “eccentricities” that might be annoying at first, but, when you get to know me, you’ll find adorable.

However, when it comes to the connection between knowing and loving Jesus, something Jesus says this morning in John 14 turns that little cliché upside down . . . or at least backwards. If I’m picking up what Jesus is laying down, then . . .

. . .  to love Him is to know Him.

“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love Him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

(John 14:21-23 ESV)

On the night Jesus was betrayed, “having loved His own . . . He loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). In partaking of His last supper before the cross He wanted to eat with those who had followed Him. In His final hours before His departure, He wanted to serve those who had left family, jobs, and comforts of status quo to serve Him. During the time when many might have been content to be alone with their thoughts, He wanted to pour out to them His final words of encouragement. And so we have what’s been called the Upper Room discourse in John 13 to 17. And as part of those final words Jesus says, in effect, “To love Me is to know Me.”

When I’m gone, Jesus said, love Me. How? Keep my commandments. Keep My word. For in that, you will keep the faith. Your behaviors acting as testimony to your beliefs. Your obedience not a means of earning My favor, but as a response to the unmerited favor you have already experienced. Keeping My commandments, says Jesus, is My love language.

But here’s what grabs me this morning. To those who love Him, He will manifest Himself to them. He will show Himself. He will come into view with increasing clarity.

And how’s that? For both the Father and Son will come to them and make Their home with them. They will make Their abode with them. They will move in, settle down, and abide with them.

And how’s that? The Father and the Son take up residence in them through the Spirit in them.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”   ~ Jesus

(John 14:15-17 ESV)

Because He has first loved us–having loved us to the utmost–we love Him. We show that love as we submit our will to His and seek His enabling to keep His commandments. And when we love Him, He makes Himself known to us as He abide with us.

And this, through the Spirit He has asked the Father to give to us. The Spirit who dwells with us. The Spirit who dwells in us. The Spirit who brings Father and Son to make Their home with us. A Trinitarian encounter of the divine kind. So that to love Him, is to know Him. And to know Him is eternal life (Jn. 17:3).

Oh, how I can take for granted the gift of the Holy Spirit. How complacent I can become that He is in me. How clueless I can be to His 24/7 dynamic in my life. How thankful I am, though, that the Helper is here helping Me.

The Spirit of truth helping me to love the Savior through the illumination of truth. And then igniting within me a desire to respond to the truth with trust and obedience. And then, as I love Jesus, the Spirit is the One through whom Jesus makes Himself known to me in a deeper way. The One through Whom the Son knocks at the door of my heart. The One who prompts me to open that door. The One through Whom the Son, accompanied by the Father, comes in and sets up home.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

What grace! To Him be all the glory!

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The Bottom Line Thing

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Pete

The time is near. That’s what grabs me this morning. That’s what sticks.

Although John wrote it down, it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants” (Rev. 1:1). And what He had to show them were “the things that must soon take place.” Things for which the time is near (Rev. 1:3b).

What sort of things? Well, beyond seven letters to be read , seven seals to be opened, seven trumpets to be sounded, and seven bowls to be poured out, here’s the bottom line thing:

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.

(Revelation 1:7 ESV)

Jesus is coming again. Coming in the clouds. Coming in a way that no matter where you are on the earth, no matter what language you speak or what belief you hold, you will see Him in His glorious appearing. For EVERY EYE will see Him.

For some it will be horror, lament, and a wailing with the realization that the Judge has returned. And for others–like for this guy in this seat–with an eye to sky, there will be a shout, “Yes!!! Even so. Amen!” For those eyes, the eyes of believers, will behold their Savior.

Reading also in John’s gospel this morning. And there I was reminded of the promise of His return. The promise that one day the eye of faith will give way to a face to face encounter of the divine kind.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” ~ Jesus

(John 14:1-3 ESV)

I will come again, Jesus said. I will take you to be with Me, Jesus said. The time is near, Jesus says. So don’t be troubled.

No profound words really coming to mind this morning. Somethings are sometimes more felt than tell’t.

But what does occur to me is that if this advent season should remind us of anything, it’s that another advent is near. If His coming as a child stirs anything afresh in us, it should be that one day–perhaps soon and very soon–He is coming as King. If Immanuel, God with us, fills us with any hope, it is that the time draws near when it will be us with God.

Because He came from heaven to earth, we are assured that while on earth He is preparing a place for us in heaven. Because He bore the wrath for our sin on the cross, we can, with confidence, anticipate a day when we will sing of His praise with a great crowd.

Oh, that this advent season wouldn’t be consumed only with the present (nor the presents). But that it would be a time to thoughtfully look back at His first advent, and marvel at the wonder of a Son given for a people lost. Yet, even more, that it would be a time for looking forward in heightened expectancy of His imminent second advent. That we would awake to the reality that the Master’s return is near and that, by His continued enabling, we need to press on and be about the Master’s business until then.

It’s the bottom line thing. Jesus is coming again. People get ready!

Wait like you’ve never waited before. Worship like you’ve never worshiped before. Work like you’ve never worked before.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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The Command and The Promise

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Pete

He understood the prophetic word he heard. He got the vision that was revealed.

That’s what it says of Daniel, in the opening verse of Daniel 10, about the revelation he received in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. And why shouldn’t he have understood? That’s what Daniel did.

From a youth, as a rookie in training in the king’s court, God had blessed him with “understanding in all visions and dreams” (1:17). Throughout his political career he received notoriety as he repeatedly had been called on to be the conduit through which the “God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (2:28) would speak to rulers on earth who really knew nothing.

Then, toward the end of his life, it was Daniel who was having the dreams. Daniel who was troubled by terrifying mind pictures. And God Himself, through heavenly emissaries, who revealed things yet to come.

But as I read these final chapters of Daniel which began with, “he understood the word and had understanding of the vision”, I notice it concludes with Daniel’s self-admission, “I heard, but I did not understand” (12:8). Daniel understood . . . but only mostly. He knew it . . . but just in part. He got it . . . except for the stuff he didn’t.

Isn’t that the way it is with things concerning the end times? For as much as we think we know, when it comes to Jesus’ return, there is still much shrouded in mystery. A lot we don’t know. A lot left for debate. Maybe that’s why the closing verse of Daniel’s prophecy grabs me this morning. Why it is such an encouragement and comfort as I chew on the command and the promise.

“But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

(Daniel 12:13 ESV)

To this senior saint, one who had served many kings well, and had served the King of kings faithfully, the command is given, “Go to the end.” Forget about hangin’ up a shingle on your life’s door that might read, “Closed, Gone Fishing.” But keep on keepin’ on.

Go your way. Be about your business. Walk in the paths I have for you yet to walk in. The paths I will show you, just as I have faithfully shown you over the decades.

Don’t be distracted by visions and mysteries partially revealed. But live according to the revelation you have received.

Don’t be entangled in the affairs of the kingdoms about you, but set your mind and heart fully on the kingdom yet to come.

And this because of the promise. You shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Whenever the end times occur, however the last days might play out, “you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you” (NLT).

What is now seen imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, what is now but partial and incomplete knowledge, will one day–perhaps soon and very soon–be seen with clarity and known completely. What is now by faith, one day, will be face to face.

So much we have learned. So much we don’t know. So much we think we get. So little, sometimes, we think we understand. But this we do know, His grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 (Jude 24, 25 ESV)

I shall stand with Him on that day. That’s the promise to believe.

Until then, by His enabling, I will go till the end. That’s the command to obey.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Stepping Into the Father’s World

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Pete

The hour of His exodus was upon Him. The countdown had begun. He who had, so far, kept a relatively low profile during the lead up to Passover was soon to become the center of attention. In but a few hours, the Son of Man would be lifted up as the Lamb of God. God incarnate would bear the wrath for creation’s rebellion. The Son forsaken by the Father as He who knew no sin became sin for us.

I can only imagine all that ran through the Omniscient’s mind. He knew who was going to betray Him (Jn. 13:11). What’s more, he not only knew the human suffering that was before Him, He was fully aware of the divine judgment that awaited Him. So much so that it troubled Him to the depths of His soul (Jn. 12:27).

But there’s something else that Jesus knew. And because He knew it, I can know it too.

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

(John 13:1 ESV)

Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father.

Kind of have a “departure” filter on as I get ready to preach from Exodus this weekend. So I thought, just as it is in Luke 9:31, the original word used here for “depart” might be related to the Greek word exodos. It’s not.

I’m no Greek scholar, but using my handy dandy computer lexicon it looks like the original word used here, metabaino, is made up of two words, meta – among or into the middle of, and baino – to walk. Jesus knew it was His hour to pass over from walking in the middle of one place to walking in the middle of another. That soon He would go from walking in the middle of this world to walking in the middle of the Father’s world.

Was that a big part of “the joy that was set before Him”? (Heb. 12:2) Is that what enabled Him to endure the cross and despise its shame? I’m thinkin’ . . .

What it because He never lost sight of where He was going that, even on the night He was to be betrayed, He loved His own to the end? Pretty sure . . .

Having been in the world, He would return to the Father. Having taken on flesh and come in the form of a servant, He would again put on the form of God. The suffering, shame, and disgrace would dissolve as, once more, He would be clothed with the glory that He had with the Father since before the world existed. The cross would give way to the crown. Having been lifted up before men in apparent defeat, He would be seated at the Father’s right hand in undisputable, eternal victory. The hour had come to depart out of this world. And it would be the hour when He would walk again in the midst of His Father.

And because Jesus knew this to be true, we do as well.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” ~ Jesus

(John 17:24 ESV)

To be absent from the body, will be to be present with the Lord.

For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. . . So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord . . .

(2Corinthians 5:1, 6 ESV)

What will it be to depart and step into the Father’s world? I can only imagine. But knowing I will one day walk in His midst has a way of providing strength for today as I seek to walk in the midst of this world.

And that because of grace. And that solely for His glory.

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The Effort for One Man

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Pete

Lord willing, I’m covering the pulpit this weekend. Don’t do it very often so, when I do, it can become a source of anxiety (don’t know if that’s the right word, exactly) as the immensity of preaching God’s word is not something I normally carry into a week. The other thing I carry into this week is the text I’ll be preaching. Acting as a lens through which my morning readings can’t help but be seen, by default the week’s text becomes at least a “side dish” to whatever I’m chewing on.

We’re working through Exodus at LTCC and next Sunday we’re scheduled to cover the first thirteen verses of Exodus 7. And so, part of what I carry into this week is a “Pharaoh filter.” As in God saying, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” (Did I mention the anxiety part earlier?)

So I’m thinking that’s why another hostile king has so grabbed my attention this morning. But in his case, instead of hardening his already cruel and callous heart, God goes to great lengths towards leading him to become a worshiper of the God of heaven. And honestly, this morning I’m a bit in awe of the effort for one man.

First, God determines to reveal to Nebuchadnezzar “what will be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28) through a dream in the night and dream interpreter in his courts. To which the volatile and unpredictable king starts to gain clarity that Daniel’s God is truly “God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries” (2:47).

But that insight doesn’t prevent the pagan king from building an incredible image of gold for all to bow to, intending that they look past the shoulder of this golden god and worship the golden king who built it and commanded homage be paid to it. But three faithful men refuse to bow. Aren’t too impressed with the idea of of worshiping some creation rather than the Creator. Into the fire they go. Out of the fire they walk. And the somewhat fickle king again blesses the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confessing “there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way” (3:29).

But the king’s not done yet. And neither is God. Despite being warned in another Daniel interpreted dream of the danger of puffing out one’s chest before the God who “rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (4:25), as the king’s accomplishments grow so does his ego. And one night, while walking on the roof of the magnificent palace he had built, he looks around and says, “Look at me! I have built great Babylon by my mighty power for the glory of my majesty!” (4:28-30).

If, at that moment, the king had looked back over his shoulder, he would have seen the line. And he had just crossed it. God shares His glory with no one! (Isa. 42:8)

And while God swiftly and strongly brings the king to his knees, He also graciously and wholly brings the king to his senses. This king of earth sees the light that the Most High is the King of heaven. And “all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble” (4:37).

And I think, that’s a lot of effort for one man. One man not a lot different than the guy who’s stuck in my “Pharaoh filter”. Cruel to God’s people. Opposed to God’s authority. Slow to pick up on God’s power.

But while God hardens Pharaoh’s heart (will be working that explanation through this week), He chooses instead, through great patience and persistence, to turn Nebuchadnezzar’s heart toward Himself. A lot of effort for one man.

But two things occur to me. First, the effort pales in comparison to the effort to redeem this guy in this seat this morning. The cross a reminder of the price, patience, and persistence of a God who so loved a hostile world that He sent His Son to rescue it through the shedding of His blood and the power of an empty tomb.

Second, it’s clear from this text that the effort was less about one man being brought to his senses, and all about a great God being known. While sin was punished, though the idol of ego was crushed, the greater result was that the glory of God had been seen and declared.

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored Him who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

(Daniel 4:34-35 ESV)

A lot of effort for one man? I’m thinkin’.

Too much effort for the glory of God? Apparently not.

Such is His abundant, overflowing grace toward men and women.

To Him be glory now and forever more.

Amen.

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The Bottom Line

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Pete

Wrapped up Ezekiel this morning. Have read it every year for the past dozen years or so. There’s a lot there. The thought that comes to mind is that it’s an epic. While not a poem per se, it is a long, glorious, often complex, story telling the history of a chosen nation.

From jaw-dropping visions of the glory of God descending upon the earth to heartbreaking scenes of the glory of God departing from the temple, through His prophet God calls out to a rebellious people. As a spurned lover, the heart of God is crushed as He recounts His brides unimaginable, unprecedented unfaithfulness. As a jealous husband, He rebukes the propensities of His beloved’s idolatrous heart and remains determined to share His glory with no one.

And so, there is judgment. Judgment of a wayward people by the sword of the nations around them. And judgment of the nations around them, as their refusal to acknowledge the God of heaven is also weighed in the balance.

But it is also a tale of unfathomable restoration. The promises of God ever in play as God in His faithfulness, mercy, and abounding grace works to redeem, regenerate, and revitalize a people who essentially had become dry bones piled in a dead land.

The ancient covenant revived through a new pledge of a new work. Their hearts would be purged of idol desire. Once hearts of stone, they would be replaced with a new heart, a heart of flesh. Transplanted through an encounter of the divine kind. God’s power itself at work in them through His Spirit given to them. Cleansed from the filth of unfaithfulness. Capable of walking victoriously in His ways. Called afresh to be His people.

Like I said, a lot going on in this epic tale of God’s pursuit of a messed up a people. More than I really get. Likely more than I’ll ever get.

But what grabs me this morning as I wrap up Ezekiel’s prophecy is that, while there are many things I do not understand about this amazing book, there is, in the last words of the last verse of the last chapter, a bottom line that rings out loud and clear.

The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.

(Ezekiel 48:35 ESV)

A lot I don’t get about Ezekiel, but this one thing I do get: when all is said and done, the bottom line is that there is a promised dwelling place for God’s people and it will be called Jehovah Shammah, The LORD Is There.

In a sense, that’s all I really need to get, Jehovah Shammah.

One day I will be in a place and The LORD Is There. And even today, whatever place I am in, The LORD Is There.

Because I am His, redeemed with the blood of His Son.

And because He is faithful.

The work He has begun, He will finish. The promises He has made, they will be kept. The hope I cling to, one day–perhaps soon and very soon–surely to be realized.

All because Jehovah Shammah, The LORD Is There.

That’s the bottom line.

By His grace. For His glory.

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What the Therefore Might be There For

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Pete

Last couple of readings in John 11 I’ve been identifying with Martha. This morning, as I hover over my reading in John 12, longing to be more like Mary. Have seen the Savior’s patience in taking Martha’s deep faith even deeper. But a bit in wonder as I meditate on the Savior’s acceptance of Mary’s extravagant worship as a precursor to His burial.

In wonder, in part, because of a single word that I don’t think I’ve every stopped to really noodle on before. A word that every bible teacher who has ever taught me about how to read the bible says I need to take note of. So that, when I see the “therefore”, I ask what it’s there for?

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for Him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

(John 12:1-3 ESV)

Only the ESV and Young’s Literal Translation translate the word as “therefore.” All my other translations use the English word “then.” As in, “Then Mary took . . . and anointed the feet of Jesus.” Giving it more a sense of chronology than causality. Martha served, Lazarus reclined, then Mary anointed.

But what if the better translation really is “therefore”? Then, I should spend a bit of time chewing on what it’s there for?

What if accordingly Mary anointed the feet of Jesus? What if consequently she seized the opportunity to worship extravagantly? What if, because these things were so–her sister serving as she had always done, her brother breathing as he had mostly done, except for those horrific 4 days–what if, because of looking about and recognizing these somewhat mundane realities, she broke the bank and filled the house with an undeniable fragrance of her love for the Master?

If it’s really a “therefore” and not a “then”, and if that’s what it’s there for, then what am I to take from it?

Perhaps something about worshiping in the moment. Something about responding to the mundane and normal, even when recent events have been anything but normal, and what will be is just as unpredictable.

Mary’s recently been through a lot. Not just a near death experience, but a death experience. One that played out unimaginably well, but who could have imagined her brother’s death in the first place? And then, a dead guy walking has incited the high priest of the Jews to put out a hit on the One who brought her brother back from life, her much loved Lord (11:49-54). What’s more, in just a few more verses, they’re going to put out a contract on her brother as well “because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus” (12:11).

But for right now, for this moment, Martha is serving, Lazarus is reclining, and THEREFORE Mary worships. Places herself in that sweet spot she’s known before, at the feet of Jesus. Breaks open the bottle of precious perfume she had saved a year for (12:5). Pours it on Jesus’ feet. Then wipes His feet with her hair in an act of unreserved humility and adoration.

Worshiping in a way that would be spoken of for centuries, if only because all was so very right in that moment. Her sister serving, her brother reclining, and she worshiping at Jesus’ feet.

I’m thinking that’s what the “therefore” might be there for.

Extravagant worship in response to the reminder of  “mundane” grace. All for God’s eternal glory.

Amen?

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The Stench of Faith

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Pete

Lazarus was the one who had died. But initially at least, Jesus was focused on making Martha more alive.

While the Master would get around to dealing with the brother’s cold body, He focused at first on continuing to fan into flame the sister’s coming-alive soul. While the main event would eventually occur publicly at the tomb, before that miracle, Jesus was working secretly in the heart of His beloved daughter. But it would stink.

Before Jesus even arrived, Martha believed that, had He been there while Lazarus was sick, He could have healed her brother. In fact, she believed that whatever Jesus asked of God, God would give Him. But Jesus sought to deepen her faith. And so He talked not only of Lazarus’ resurrection someday, but said that He Himself was the very source of that resurrection and of life eternal. Would she believe that? And her faith grew as she confessed, “I believe. For you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Jn. 11:20-27)

But Jesus was not yet done with Martha’s faith. Before raising her brother from the dead, He would raise Martha’s faith as well. You see, just “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). And so Jesus provided opportunity for Martha to show what she believed by what she did.

But it was risky. Many would be shocked. Some, perhaps, offended. Because there would be bad odor as a result of what she was about to do–the stench of faith.

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone.

(John 11:38-41a ESV)

Note to self. You don’t open up sepulchers after a body has lain in it for four days. Especially a body buried without embalming. The “returning to dust” process will have started. Decay will have set in. And you won’t have to look upon the corpse to know that, it will be evident as soon as the stone is removed and the stale air from the inside finds its way to the outside.

But sometimes, you need to do what stinks, and make a call that others might misunderstand, in order to see the glory of God.

Martha was horrified at the Master’s request. Just in case the Author of Life wasn’t fully aware of the process of death, she reminded Jesus that after four days, as it concerned her brother, “he stinketh.” (Gotta’ love the old King James)

But Jesus redirected her again to the connection between believing and beholding. That to believe in His word, even when obeying it might not make natural sense, would be to behold His glory.

And He wanted to show her the connection between believing and behaving. That, eventually, what we say we believe needs to impact what we do. Eventually what we say we believe in, others will have to see we believe in.

All eyes must have been focused on Martha. No one would make a move toward the stone covering the tomb without her go ahead.

What would she do? Listen to common sense and leave the tomb sealed? Not risk opening the tomb and then nothing happening other than the stench of death lingering over the crowd?

Or would she willingly risk the stench of faith in order to encounter the glory of God? Would she ignore the potential second-guessing of the crowd around her so she could realize the power of God in her?

Martha obeyed. Willing to endure the stench because of her faith, she ordered the stone removed.

And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

(John 11:41b-44 ESV)

Jesus gently brought Martha from saving faith, to confessing faith, to an acting faith.

Martha was made more alive before her brother was.

All this by the grace of God. All this for the glory of God.

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You Believe? Believe More!

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Pete

Not gonna lie (not that I normally do), if the two sisters were to mark out opposite end points of a continuum, I probably fall more often on the Martha side then I do the Mary side. In the past I’ve liked to think of myself as like Mary, the one who is naturally content to serenely find my place at the feet of Jesus and there rest and receive. But, as I get older and maybe more in touch with the real me, I can’t help but think I’m more like Martha. Distracted with many things (if only in my heart and mind). Tending towards being “anxious and troubled” rather than calm and collected. Not always choosing “the good portion.” (Lk. 10:38-42)

Maybe that’s why I have increasingly developed a soft spot in my heart for Martha. Thinking that perhaps God has simply wired some of us more like Martha than Mary, and that Jesus loves both the Marthas and the Marys and loves to be with them both.

And maybe that’s why I find myself feeling a sense of pride (if pride’s the right word) as I read about Martha in John 11 this morning.

Lazarus, Martha and Mary’s brother, is dying. The sisters put out the call to Jesus. Jesus receives their plea but tarries. Lazarus dies. Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go wake him up, guys!” (11:1-15)

And, when Jesus hits the outskirts of Bethany, word is sent to the sisters’ house that He’s coming. And true to form, Martha gets up and gets busy and heads out to meet Jesus while “Mary remained seated in the house” (11:20). And then, John records this encounter of the divine kind:

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you.”

(John 11:21-22 ESV)

What faith! She believed with all her heart that Jesus had power to heal. Had He been there, she thought, He would have. But even now–love those words–but even now, without any doubt, she says, I believe You can do all things. Attagirl Martha! Way to believe!

And here’s what grabs me. Jesus replies, in effect, “You believe? Believe more!”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

(John 11:23-26 ESV)

You believe I can do all things, Martha, good! Will you also believe I am the resurrection and the life?

While Jesus does great things with mustards seeds of faith, He desires to grow our faith. Taking what we believe and asking us to believe in Him more. Leveraging the trust we already have He asks us to trust Him more. Jesus patiently, graciously, even though sometimes painfully, seeks to draw out our faith to greater heights.

She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

(John 11:27 ESV)

Yes!!! Attagirl again!

No one says “Jesus is Lord” except in the Spirit, according to Paul (1Cor. 12:3). In fact, John writes that you know the Spirit of God is present when someone confesses Christ has come in the flesh from God (1John 4:2). What’s more, Jesus Himself said that those who confess that Christ is the Son of the living God are blessed because it’s not flesh and blood which has revealed such insight, “but My Father in heaven” (Matt. 16:17).

Martha–busy, distracted Martha–stands before the Son of God, filled with the Spirit, confessing only what the Spirit could make known. Blessed because the Father Himself has revealed to her in a deeper way the glory of His Son.

“You believe?” Jesus says, “Believe more. Believe Me.”

Yes, Lord!

By Your grace. For Your glory!

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