John 11:19-27 I Have Come To Believe
Let us take a moment of silence for all those who continue to walk in darkness. They may appear alive in the eyes of men, but make no mistake; they are dead in the eyes of God. Lazarus was more alive than all the men that surrounded his tomb! The crowd cried out in faith, “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob” (Psalm 146), while Lazarus was living it in 3-D.
“I will bless the Lord my God at all times.” (Psalm 34) Martha learned this lesson when she had the Lord over for a meal. Her home became the tabernacle, a house of worship, of prayer. The meal was sacred, “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” She was blessed. She was radiant! “Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.” Her life had turned 180 degrees and had grown to maturity. There was nothing that she did not possess. We know, “the great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the Lord want for no good thing.”
Who was Martha? She was a woman who was sent to the potter’s house after being broken to pieces (and fallen apart), and placed in the hands of the great Potter. He fashioned her, again and again, until there was perfection, and He placed her in the fire so that she could become stronger, better than before. Who is Martha? She is a role model for everyone. Taken, abused, subjected to sin and evil, and recreated from what was good and beautiful.
The dialogue between Martha and Jesus is in reality a profession of faith. His questions demand our response. Do you believe in evil? I do. And all its empty promises? Yes. Do you believe in the Father, the Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth? I do. Do you believe in me [Jesus]? “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” What more can be said. Now is the time for action!
And yet the world could not accept it - too much to lose...and so it seems. “Do not put your trust in men, in whom there is no salvation.” (Psalm 116)
It has taken more than half of my life but finally, I have come to believe.
"Who was Martha? She was a woman who was sent to the potter’s house after being broken to pieces (and fallen apart), and placed in the hands of the great Potter. He fashioned her, again and again, until there was perfection, and He placed her in the fire so that she could become stronger, better than before. Who is Martha? She is a role model for everyone. Taken, abused, subjected to sin and evil, and recreated from what was good and beautiful."
ReplyDeleteThis may be the most significant statement that you've made, in your meditations, so far, this really sums it all up for me.
This gives us HOPE, real HOPE in living color. A perfect example for each one of us.
I actually only knew Martha the worker/complainer.
I never saw how she listened to Jesus, took his reprimand to heart and CHOSE to overcome her defects with His grace, and probably plenty of pain and humility, going against her nature, allowing Him to work on her until she became the woman He made her to be.
He didn't just patch her up, He kept the good in her and made her new!
OMG! This is what I want!
Thank you Father for sharing your wisdom.
Today I feel beaten down and lied to. I asked for God to reveal to me recognize the lies and so I take Psalm 116 to hold onto.
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