It took us awhile but we purge on to begin chapter 11. The further we get the more amazes me that God continues or even ever uses me to brag about His Son. This is and continues to be a pleasure, privilege and humbling responsibility. I pray God shines His light in contrast to our darkness and ignorance.
Extra credit: Today’s comes from Chris Cunningham and is on the Simplicity that is in Christ. I pray you are blessed by this short read as well.
Jhn 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Jhn 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Jhn 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Jhn 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
- Pause and reflect on the significance of the words he whom THOU lovest instead of he that lovest you!
It always seems that in the darkest moments God shines His light and in contrast it illuminates that much brighter. Any sinner with a grace filled heart by that same grace was brought to see His sickness and unworthiness. To reverence the healing power of the blood we must see the diseased condition of our heart first. To understand a fraction of His mercy we must know the justice we deserve. It has been said that the sounds of heaven will sing higher and sweeter in contrast to the screams of hell, light will illuminate that much brighter placed against the backdrop of darkness, and mercy will be that much more gracious compared to the justice we deserve. Simply put, it seems the more depraved a man and the more a man by the same grace that saves is brought to a truer understanding of his needs the brighter the testimony and glory for the Son of God.
(Mat 11:25-26) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
