Lazarus Revealed- Our Story; Gods Glory

Greetings Everyone,

I've been thinking about what to write for my next post that co-insides with this idea that has been developing in my heart regarding "Our Story; Gods Glory". I've had a couple of thoughts I thought would be good to share but there has been one thought that has come up a lot more than the others...

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the more popular miracles in the gospel story and it is a very important story for several reasons. 

We often connect the story from John chapter 11 to the story in Luke chapter 10 that teaches about the difference between how Mary and Martha respond to Jesus....

Mary is pictured as the one who sits at Jesus feet listening to what he has to say and Martha is pictured as the one who focuses on serving. 

Other times we connect with the shortest verse in the Bible "Jesus Wept" that is found in John 10:35. Here we often talk about whether Jesus is weeping because he is sad that Lazarus his friend is dead or if he is weeping because of the lack of faith from the believers.

Most of all though, we connect with the fact that Jesus brought a dead person back to life and with the role that this story plays in the rest of the gospel.

I believe that all of the aspects of this story are very important to us as Christians. The aspect of this story that I have connected with the most this summer though has been the part of the story in which Jesus stops everything and simply prays...

“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” John 11:41b-42 KNJV

As I began to think about this little prayer it reminded me of the example that Jesus sets for us through his life. I connect with the fact that In the midst of a very intense situation he simply stops and prays.  I think about what could possibly be going through Jesus' mind as he is praying this prayer and wonder if there is more to this prayer than the few lines mentioned in scripture. I know I can't speak for Jesus by any means but I imagine He could be saying something along the lines of... 

"Lord you know that I love you and you know I love these people. My heart breaks for them and their sufferings. Those around me doubt your glory and I long for them to see you. Use this part of my story to reveal your glory to them so they will believe in you. Show them who you are and give them the faith we both long to see in their hearts."

That mind set is a testament of who Jesus is and of who we are called to be in Christ. Often, it is very difficult to react that way in intense situations but I believe that when we strive to depend on God with everything he can help us get to that point in which we react to intense situations by doing just what he does. Stop and Pray. 

God wants to use Our Stories for HIS Glory and he has given us a wonderful example in the Life of Jesus to follow. As we begin to take time in our daily journey with HIM to pray through the tough situations we will begin to grow in unimaginable ways. The power of prayer is one of the most amazing tools we have if used properly. I have more to say on the topic of prayer but I will share that with you all another time :-). 

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E