(John 11:1-3 NIV) Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” For the past couple of days we have been learning from these two sisters. It is beneficial to learn from others. My wife often tells the kids, “If I tell you the stove is hot and I got burned, then you should not need to burn yourself to know the stove is hot.” We can learn from what they did right and we can also learn from what they did wrong.
Mary and Martha had built up a relationship with Jesus and He with them. Their relationship was so strong that by John chapter 11 they could sincerely say that they loved Jesus and Jesus loved them. Jesus’ love for them extended to their entire family. Mary and Martha had a brother named Lazarus and we learn that Jesus loved him as well. The love factor is important because most of us will go ‘above and beyond’ for those we love. Jesus had lots of relationships, but by this point these two sisters were confident that He loved them and that He would be there for them. When calamity hit their home Mary and Martha confidently called for Jesus. When their brother Lazarus got sick they did not hesitate to make a demand on their relationship with Jesus. When they sent word to Jesus they fully expected Him to do something about their brother’s sickness. After all, they were no strangers, they were “Loved ones.” They were fully confident that Jesus would heal Lazarus. Do you know what their confidence is called? It’s faith. They had a relationship with Jesus and based on that relationship, they had faith that Jesus would heal their brother.
I like the verbiage they used in their message to Jesus. The sisters said, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” In other words they were saying, “Jesus, we are no strangers and Lazarus is not just someone you met on the street. We have a relationship with you and You have a relationship with us. We know you heal lots of people You don’t even know, so surely You are going to heal Lazarus.” I am sure that Mary and Martha had no doubt, at that point, that Jesus would show up in their lives. But we all know how the passing of time eat away at your confidence. This is why you need faith and patience, coupled with joy and peace. Without them you won’t be able to maintain your confidence (faith) for the long haul. This series is about never giving up, but we will see that Mary and Martha did. When Lazarus stopped breathing they stopped believing. But we are not at that point in the storey yet. Let’s stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. A sincere relationship births confidence: When you build a sincere relationship with someone you learn their strengths and weaknesses. You know what they can do and what they can’t and if you establish a true bond, you trust that they will do everything within their power to help you if they can. The sisters knew what Jesus could do and unlike some strangers that came to Him unsure, Mary and Martha had complete confidence, because of their relationship. It is the same with you. How is your relationship with God? If it is shaky, then your faith (confidence) in Him will also be shaky, but if you have a solid relationship with Him, then your faith (confidence) should be solid.
2. Friends count on each other: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were friends of Jesus. Because they were friends they knew that they could count on Him. Are you a friend of God? I know that I am. If you are then you should be able to count on Him and He should be able to count on you. Now, you may be thinking, what does God need to count on me for? Well, He needs you to represent Him in the earth. You have a major part in His plan. I know you are counting on Him, but can He also count on you?
Closing Confession: Father, I am no stranger to You. I come boldly before the throne of Your grace, in the name of Your Son Jesus, with complete confidence that You hear me and that You will move in my life. I am an heir and a joint-heir with Jesus. I am Your child and I am a Kingdom citizen. I know who I am. I know who You are. I know I can count on You and I declare, by faith, that You can count on me today and every day! I live by faith and I shall never quit! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
