Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Jesus Wept



Yes I know it's been a while since I dropped a few lines. Well I received the inspiration behind this blog entry while at bible study last Wednesday at the Guiding Light Church. We all know that sometimes you get to the point in life where you feel like you're going through tests and trials and no one cares. It seems as though the more you pray you don't seem to get an answer from God. Well hopefully this will speak to you if you feel that way.


My pastor, Bishop Jim Lowe has been teaching a series during bible study for a few weeks on Death. You may ask why in the world is he teaching a series on death. Well, he wants us to fully understand what death is for a Christian. The more you know about a topic, the less you fear it. On last Wednesday what I remember most is when he went to Matthew and was talking about the story of Lazarus. You know the story right? Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus was sick. Jesus loved that family, yet he stayed where he was another 2 days. So Jesus finally told his disciples, Let us go back to Judea. No on the way Jesus said that Lazarus had fallen asleep and he was going to wake him. Cleary Lazarus was dead, but for a believer death is but sleep. Anyway Jesus arrived and Martha was the first to approach. She came with an attitude. Just imagine Martha coming out with her hand on her hip and rolling her neck when she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." A little after that imagine when Mary came out she was weeping a little then fell to Jesus' feet and she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Now to the part this whole blog is about...


John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept.


Now we all know that Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the bible, but allow me to suggest that it is probably one of the more significant verses of all 66 books and the over 31,000 verses that are in the bible! Jesus did not cry because Lazarus died. Jesus did not cry because he believed all was lost for Mary and Martha. Jesus did not cry because he thought it was too hard to revive Lazarus. Jesus wept simply from seeing Mary and the other Jews were weeping. Let that marinate for a minute! It is amazing to know that we have a God that hurts when we hurt. It is amazing to know that we have a God that doesn't want to see us struggle. It is amazing to know that we have a God that rushes to our rescue when He sees us down.


So let me encourage you in knowing that just because it doesn't seem like those tests and trials are passing, God has already sent your rescue(answer) it is just up to us to have the faith and patience knowing that help is on the way. I'm reminded of a motivational youtube video where a speaker said that pain may last a second, a minute, an hour, a day, maybe a year(s) but... it will eventually subside. The only way it wont is if you quit. So don't quit people. Hang in there, God has already shipped your deliverance. Build your faith and know that God is building your spiritual muscles when you go through. Most of the time you will see me happy and smiling because I know that through all that I have been through in my life, and Lord knows I've been through a lot, that God has, does, and will always bring me out of a storm better, stronger, newer, fresher, and wiser than when I went in! Stay encouraged... help is on the way!


As always I pray that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially.