(John 11:38-40 NIV) Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by continuing with the story of Mary and Martha. Last week we saw how Jesus was so moved by Mary’s position of worship and the condition of her heart that He was ready to act. He asked, “Where have you laid him?” and He busted into tears. Mary’s heart touched Jesus’ heart and He was ready to move on her behalf. The gravesite was a cave sealed with a large stone. When they arrived at the gravesite Jesus said something the Father often tells us today. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Remember, God will not force Himself upon you. Jesus was there, He was ready, He was willing, and He was able, but He was not going to move the stone for them. He was not going to open up the door. He was not going to peel back the pain. That was something that they had to do. They had to grant Him access to the situation. Once they allowed Him access, He would do the rest.
I trust that by this stage in the ‘tale you have seen the difference in the two sisters. Martha had a long conversation with Jesus, but she basically got nowhere with Him. All she did was frustrate Him and what He wanted to do for them. Mary only said 12 words – the same 12 words that Martha initially said – but since she said them in a different way, from a position of surrender and worship, Jesus was moved to action. If that were not enough, this morning we see Martha jump in and almost mess up what Mary had already started. Mary had touched Jesus and He was ready to move on their behalf. They had already walked to the gravesite. The stage was set for the miracle. Mary did not have to say anything else; her heart had already spoken volumes. Mary was ready, Jesus was ready, and Lazarus (although dead) was ready. Everything seemed to be going well. The only thing left was the removing of the stone. But here comes Martha saying, “But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Martha was so blinded by her situation that she had no clue what was about to happen. If she realized that Jesus was about to raise her brother from the dead, the odor would have been a small thing. But sometimes our situation stinks so bad to us that we fail to see what God wants to do in our lives. Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” We will deal with that statement tomorrow.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that the factors I have been teaching about in this series (faith, patience, joy, and peace) are all critical to your walk with God. Martha lost her joy and peace, so she lost her patience and gave up on her faith. The door of possibility was closed in Martha’s mind and heart. Even when Jesus was physically present and obviously willing to move on her behalf, she could not see it, receive it, or believe it. The pain of the situation had blinded her and she did not want to peel back the possibility of Jesus doing something ‘now,’ because it would reopen the wounds. Learn from her life. Learn that there are no impossibilities in God and learn to never fully close the door of possibilities, unless God tells you to. Learn to maintain joy and peace, no matter what the situation looks like, because without them the pain might blind you. You might hurt so bad that you fail to receive from God, even when He is ready to move on your behalf.
Closing Confession: Father, I am a believer, not a doubter, and I don’t take that lightly. I believe You and I keep the door of possibility open in my life. Not everything that happens is good, but by Your grace, I will maintain my joy and peace while I walk this walk of faith. Joy and peace will keep me from getting bitter and from being blinded by pain. I am learning to remain stable internally, even in the midst of ever changing external circumstances. I am at peace, because I know that You are with me wherever I go and for whatever I face. I am never alone and in Your presence I have the fullness of joy. With my joy and peace intact I will not be blinded by the pain. Your peace helps heal me of the pain and in Your presence I am able to hear what You want to do next! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
