A Clearer Perspective
May God be merciful and bless us.
….May his face smile with favor on us. Psalm 67:1 NLT
John 11:16 (<<click here to read the passage)
In the middle of the whole Lazarus narrative, another character with a solitary line of dialogue speaks volumes.
In verse 16, once Jesus said it was time to go and see Lazarus, Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, said something that I have never really caught before. Now it’s probably because the versions I primarily read and heard for a good portion of my life did not pointedly say what was being said. I’m sure that makes no sense to you whatsoever!
OK, here is how both the King James and the New International Versions translate what Thomas said in verse 16.
“Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Leading up to this statement Jesus had been speaking of Lazarus’ death.
In verses 14-15 Jesus…
…told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” NLT
So, I have always thought that Thomas was speaking of Lazarus’ death. In my mind it made sense. To some degree, he understood Jesus’ line of thought and he desired to be a part of what Jesus was doing so he associated himself with Lazarus’ death
But when you read it in other translations, we see that the “him” is actually “Him”!
“Let us go too, that we may die with Him.” Amplified Bible
The New Living Translation literally spells it out.
“Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
Understanding that puts a whole different spin on things!
As we’ve seen, Jesus had been threatened with bodily harm and arrest on numerous occasions for the “blasphemous” statements He made (John 8:59, 10:31, 10:39).
This is the note regarding verse 16 from my study Bible*.
We often remember Thomas as “the doubter,” because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:24-25). But here he demonstrated love and courage. The disciples knew the dangers of going with Jesus to Jerusalem, and they tried to talk him out of it. Thomas merely expressed what all of them felt. When their objections failed, they were willing to go, even though it appeared they might have to die with Jesus. They may not have understood why Jesus would be killed, but they were loyal.
The disciples, much like ourselves, were very complex individuals. None of us are simple cardboard cutouts. Thomas was prepared to die with Jesus, much as Peter and the others proclaimed vehemently later in Matthew 26:35 following the Lord’s Supper,
“Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. NLT
Lord Jesus, may we be patient and long-suffering in our thoughts of the disciples. It is so easy to point accusing fingers at their denial and fear…but we were not in their “sandals” and could very well have had the same response in the chaos and fear of that terrible night. With much clearer hindsight, may we be diligent in maintaining our relationship with You. Hold us close, we pray! Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Aug 3rd. 2021, Tues, 8:19 pm
Call 911!
Come and listen, all you who fear God,
….and I will tell you what he did for me. Psalm 66:16 NLT
John 11:1-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
At a little past midnight on May 21st, 2020, Karen and I avoided tragedy…but barely. Shortly after we went to bed, we heard a sharp beeping. After a few moments of searching, I located the source – it was our carbon monoxide detector which was plugged into the outlet in our furnace closet.
We thought it was odd in that on that particular evening we weren’t even running our furnace, there was no need. And even if we had wanted to, it wouldn’t have worked because our whole area was out of power due to an accident of some sort. Our generator, located outside and behind the house, had kicked on right away, so we were a little baffled. What had caused it to go off?
We moved the detector out of the closet and into our bedroom…just in case.
Somewhere past midnight, it went off again. We had no idea why? To be on the safe side we called 911 and were instructed to open our windows and doors and to wait outside for our local fire department personnel to arrive.
When they arrived, their instruments detected lethal levels of carbon monoxide! The culprit? Our generator. It had been installed too close to the house and as it ran, the gas went up through our eaves and its deadly effects seeped into our home!
We escaped with only headaches and a bit of nausea. Death could have prevailed…but not under our Father’s watchful eye!
Reading through these first few verses of John 10, my study Bible notes* brought to mind God’s timing. We function, day in and day out, on world time. But God exists and is Sovereign outside of time. We often try to shove God into our convenient, little boxes. We demand, “Do it now! Help me now! God, where are You? I need You…now!”
Here’s the study note,
Jesus loved this family and often stayed with them. He knew their pain but did not respond immediately. His delay had a specific purpose. God’s timing, especially his delays, may make us think he is not answering or is not answering the way we want. But he will meet all our needs according to his perfect schedule and purpose (Philippians 4:19). Patiently await his timing.
In God’s perfect timing, Lazarus died. Jesus could have left right away and healed him immediately.
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” v4
In the wee hours of the morning in May of 2020, we could easily have died…but we didn’t. God’s perfect timing was for us to live, and it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God would glory from this.
Yes, our detector did its fair share in bringing our dire circumstances to light, but it played only a small part in God’s plan for our lives. All praise to Him!
(One side note: Get a carbon monoxide detector! And if for some reason you have one and it has gone off, replace it! We were told that once it goes off, the part that detects the carbon monoxide can become defective and no longer work!)
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Aug 2nd, 2021, Mon, 7:03 pm
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Father, thank You for a wonderful day! Thank You for Your word. Thank You for a day that was laid back a bit more than usual. Thank You for Your presence with us.
John 10:32-42 (<<click here to read the passage)
I have read too many books, seen too many shows and movies, and seen enough of life to realize that what one says regarding themselves only goes as far as their actions agree. Some may be fooled into believing people are who they say they are but eventually their deeds will show the reality of their being.
A phrase with which we are all familiar is, “Actions speak louder than words.”
A twist that usually doesn’t produce the fruit parents speaking to their children desire is “Do as I say, not as I do.” It is often the case that, children are more prone to feel allowed to do what the parent does, even if the parent tells them not to do it.
Scripture admonishes that actions speak louder as well. The Apostle John states in his first epistle,
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. 1 John 3:18 AMP
Jesus said as much in Matthew 21:28-32,
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.
“Which of the two obeyed his father?”
They replied, “The first.”
Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins. NLT
Time and time again, Jesus’ actions paralleled the words He spoke. Never did one contradict the other. Many other players in the Gospel narratives, could not lay claim to that truth. Everyone from the Jewish hierarchy clear through Jesus’ disciples was guilty of the deeds betraying their words.
Who can forget Peter’s words to Jesus in Matthew 26:33?
Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!” NLT
In just a matter of days, Peter fell away and fell hard.
Lord Jesus, I am no less guilty. I may have the best of intentions in many areas of my life – at home, at work, in the church…and most importantly with You – but more often than I would care to admit, they end up being just empty utterances. May I strive to live up to what my mouth proclaims, Lord. May I diligently endeavor to follow in Your footsteps. Amen.
Aug 1st, 2021, Sun, 8:37 pm
Talking to a Wall
Father, tonight my body and my mind are weary. It has been a busy week of coming and going. Speak through my weariness. May Your word come through loud and clear, despite it all.
John 10:22-31 (<<click here to read the passage)
We all know people that are just plain hard to talk to, at least on some topics. Often their minds are set (in concrete it seems!) and absolutely nothing you say is going to change that fact. People say of individuals like that, “It’s like talking to a brick wall!”
Talk of politics can easily have this result – no matter which side you are on. The same goes for COVID-19 protocol, abortion, alcohol use, etc., etc. I am a person who does not like conflict in the least and on many fronts, I just don’t talk about certain things because all it accomplishes is building walls between myself and others. And at that point, I really am talking to a brick wall! Division doesn’t help us in any way. All it does is give us labels to slap on the foreheads of others – you’re wrong and I’m right!
How can I get God’s love to shine through a brick wall? The walls have to come down! Some may think I am ineffective but if the walls are not erected in the first place, my objective is to splashing God’s love all about and letting Him take care of all the other things!
A portion of today’s passage reads,
So the Jews surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are [really] the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us so plainly and openly.” v24 AMP
At this point, I think Jesus would have wanted to bang His head against the brick wall! He had said as much many times. He had shown them over and over again! But regardless of his verbal and physical proclamations, they refused to listen. Jesus diligently worked to bring others into an understanding but He, for one, did not avoid conflict. He said what needed saying.
So, once again, in response to their query, He spoke the truth.
“I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me… v25-26b NLT
And to drive home the point He said, “The Father and I are one.” v30 NLT
They demanded, “Tell us!” He told them. And their response?
Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. v31
Brick walls! What more could He do than what He had done? He did not give up but kept answering their questions. Today we have lots of questions and He still does not give up on us but continues to answer the questions we ask. Will we hear…or will we be brick walls?
July 29th, 2021, Thurs, 9:07 pm
Not “In Spite” of but “Because” of Who We Are!
Father, I hold no illusion that I am anything close to being what You want me to be. Often, I feel that it is one step forward and two steps back, but…in the midst of it all, You remain. You are faithful. May I clearly see Your reality. May it give me a burning within to press forward step by step to be who You created me to be. Amen.
********
I feel that I need to address something that was brought to my attention by a dear pastor friend of mine, who interestingly enough – I have never met! He is a friend of my parents who is affiliated with the church they attend. He is a blogger, as well, and we have encouraged each other back and forth via Facebook Messenger for some time now. I pray that at some point Bob Krauss and I actually get to meet, face to face!
Anyway…he pointed out something I said in yesterday’s post (The Blame Game) regarding God loving us in spite of who we are and what we do.
Many of us have had parents and/or are parents who would do just about anything for their children because of their love for them. Just because a child decorates the living room walls with crayons, do we stop loving them? No, we may correct them, but we still are glad to have the opportunity to tuck them into bed that night. Just because a child seriously damages the family car, do we stop loving them? No, we are grateful to still have them with us. A parent after God’s own heart can’t just stop loving their child. They may be brought to tears because of the pain they suffer due to a child’s rebellion no matter how they get or what they do…but we still love them…prodigals and all. We love our kids not in spite of who they are but because of who they are! They’re our kids – kids of our blood, or kids of our heart – they are our kids…well because they are our kids! By birth, adoption, or guardianship they have our hearts, and whether they want to admit it or not we have theirs, too!
As parents, we are not content to allow our children to remain where they are. As newborns, we celebrate their first steps, their first words, and on and on! We want them to grow. We rejoice with them in every victory and weep with them in every defeat. Parenting is all about bringing a life into this world and them helping them to become who God created them to be!
We are the parents we are because our loving, heavenly Father is the parent that He is to us! We may not be the perfect parents He is but once again, as my pastor-friend Bob says, God does not love us “in spite” of who we are but rather “because” of who we are! He sacrificed Himself for us so we could be more than we presently are, but He adores us because He made us — just like any good and loving parent would!
We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 AMP
Lord Jesus, may we follow in Your footsteps to abide in our Heavenly Father’s presence. May we honor His will for our lives. He knows what we can be…if we will just let Him guide and direct us. Amen!
July 28th, 2021, Wed, 9:11 pm