"Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe....'" (John 11: 14-15b)
Jesus, "....told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'" The Church really needs to get better at, "....said to them plainly...." Too many times religious people use worn out religious cliches which really do not speak of Biblical Principles, "plainly." I love the, "plainly," of the Bible.
But then after it is said that, "....Jesus said to them plainly," He went on to say something which was probably perplexing to those who were hearing this for the first time,"....and for your sakes I am glad I was not there...." You have been "there," haven't you? Those times or seasons when it seemed as though Jesus, "....was not there...." In our text, however, we see a reason for such times. Such times or season are, "....so that you may believe." We must always keep in mind that whatever the Godhead is doing in our lives, the purpose always involves, "....for your sakes...so that you may believe." NIV)
My friend, there may be times when it seems as though Jesus is, "....not there...." Regardless of all this may mean, Our Father always has a, "....and for your sakes," purpose. There are many times in the Scriptures where we read of God "leaving" people. Whether or not it is what someone once called, "withdrawing the consciousness of His Presence," or something else, I cannot say. But please always remember that in such times there is always the central Biblical principle, "God is a very present help....for your sakes...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so thankful for your, "....and for your sakes...." Amen.
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Read a most insightful article at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Jesus, "....told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'" The Church really needs to get better at, "....said to them plainly...." Too many times religious people use worn out religious cliches which really do not speak of Biblical Principles, "plainly." I love the, "plainly," of the Bible.
But then after it is said that, "....Jesus said to them plainly," He went on to say something which was probably perplexing to those who were hearing this for the first time,"....and for your sakes I am glad I was not there...." You have been "there," haven't you? Those times or seasons when it seemed as though Jesus, "....was not there...." In our text, however, we see a reason for such times. Such times or season are, "....so that you may believe." We must always keep in mind that whatever the Godhead is doing in our lives, the purpose always involves, "....for your sakes...so that you may believe." NIV)
My friend, there may be times when it seems as though Jesus is, "....not there...." Regardless of all this may mean, Our Father always has a, "....and for your sakes," purpose. There are many times in the Scriptures where we read of God "leaving" people. Whether or not it is what someone once called, "withdrawing the consciousness of His Presence," or something else, I cannot say. But please always remember that in such times there is always the central Biblical principle, "God is a very present help....for your sakes...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so thankful for your, "....and for your sakes...." Amen.
************************
Read a most insightful article at: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
