HOME-WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP...

There is nothing quite like a home! HOME - where a family unit dwells together in the process called LIFE! In an ideal home, there is Love, Warmth of Relationships, Compassion, Concern, Unity, Fellowship, Friendship, Leadership, A Common Identity, Joy and Happiness, Peace, Cooperation, Stability and Tranquility! It is in the home where plans take shape, conversations are common, where we learn to listen, where challenges are discussed, forgiveness is extended, problems are solved, and the search for the meaning and purpose of life is conducted. Ideally, it is the place where faith is taught, where the Bible is read and discussed and where prayer is offered to God. The home and family is the place where spiritual pursuits should be first and foremost.

I'm quite sure from the context of John, Chapter Eleven that this home in Bethany of Judea was much like the home I've just described. It was the home of three adult siblings, Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. While scripture doesn't tell us, I believe it is safe to say these three were raised in a home that taught them thoroughly the Old Testament and they were looking for their Messiah. All three of them accepted, loved, and recognized Jesus as the ONE! He and His disciples were always warmly welcomed and cared for in their home.

And yet, as we discover in John 11, even this kind of home can be savaged by death, heart-ache, pain, sorrow, grief, hurt, misunderstanding, loss and lonliness. And the persons behind the door of a home that is torn apart because of tragedy need extraordinary comfort. (I can't help but think of Erika Kirk and her two young children who've suffered greatly because of the horrible murder of Charlie Kirk just a couple of weeks ago. They must continue to be in our love and faithful prayers for the comfort of the Holy Spirit!)

It was to the home in Bethany that Jesus personally went, this time due to the loss, pain and grief of Mary and Martha. Have you taken note from the Scriptures that Jesus always shows up where there is pain, suffering, needs to be met and where divine comfort is required? (I strongly encourage you to carefully read John's Gospel, Chapter 11, especially verses 1-45, to prepare for this blog.) Let's look at this passage. What did Jesus find on His way to their home, what did He find when He arrived at their home, and what were the results of Him being there?

First, He Found Hesitation! When Jesus announced to His followers that they were going back to Judea, His disciples revealed their utter reluctance. "The disciples said to Him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You (to death), and are You going there again' "?

But let's remember the WHY of His planned return to Judea!

1) Lazarus was sick and his sisters had sent word to Jesus to come.

2) Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 11:5).

3) It was an occasion for the "Son of God to be glorified" (John 11:4).

Jesus' followers were very worried and sincerely hesitant to return to Judea. They were in the Region of Perea, about 20 miles from Bethany, and the town of Bethany was only 2 miles from the City of Jerusalem in Judea where Jesus had nearly been stoned (John 10:39). His disciples were afraid that if they returned to Judea again, Jesus likely would be killed. "Therefore, Thomas, who is called Didymus (Doubter), said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, so that we may die with Him' " (John 11:16). So, of course, they were filled with fear.

Do we understand that God does NOT want His people to be fearful and to act on the basis of fear? The phrase "do not fear" or a similar wording occurs 365 times in the Bible; one time for every day of the year! God does NOT want His people to be crippled by fear in our daily lives! "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and discipline" (II Timothy 1:7). The truth is that the Holy Spirit provides believers in Jesus with divine strength (power), selfless love and mental clarity rather than the debilitating fear that places a choke-hold on our relationship of Trust in God. God gives us the divine enablement through the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purposes For His Glory! So Jesus told His disciples, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there (before he died), so that you may believe; but let us go to him" (John 11:14-15).

Second, He Found Tragedy! Lazarus, His dear friend whom He loved, had died and his body was placed in a tomb. As a result, He found separation, heart-ache, and deep sorrow; a family in grief and mourning. Jesus went to Bethany and stared it all "in the face" with human sorrow AND Godly confidence, boldness and healing!

I'm going to digress here to say that death is not the only tragedy that can invade a home and upset a family. There are other very real and painful tragedies that come against family. Consider the following: rebellious attitudes and actions, unforgiveness, pride, jealousy, anger, hatred, disunity, uncontrolled words, immorality, drunkenness, drug abuse, marital unfaithfulness, physical abuse, poor and selfish communication, bitterness and many others.

Third, He Found Sadness and Despair! There was sorrow, weeping and mourning going on in that home in Bethany. This, of course, is very understandable! It could be said that death is the final disruption to family unity. When death occurs in a family, nothing in that family will ever be the same as before. Rest assured in this fact: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but ONE (Jesus) who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Fourth, He Found Constructive Criticism! Both Mary and Martha said to Jesus when He arrived at their home, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21 and 32). Can you hear these two women say, "why didn't you come", "why weren't you here when we needed you", "why do you permit this sorrow and pain?" "You healed others, why not Lazarus?"

I say it is OK to question God. BUT, in our questioning, let's be ready to hear His response! The best way for us to hear Him is In His Word and In Our Prayers! If we are not reading His Word and communicating with Him in Prayer, it is highly likely we'll not hear His responses to our questions and our searches for spiritual truth and understanding!

Note Martha's statement of faith, trust and confidence even in the midst of her confusion, hurt and pain. "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You" (John 11:22). Jesus responded, "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23). To that, Martha again affirmed her faith, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day" (John 11:24). This was a powerful interchange between Jesus and Martha! Watch This! "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die (will never suffer eternal death). Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). Again, Martha's affirmation, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world" (John 11:27).

Listen, it is possible for us to give God a stabbing accusation of His unconcern for us, His "lateness" in intervening in our situation, His seeming deafness to our prayers, and slow response to our needs. While we can and should be honest with God relating to ALL things, we must be careful and guard well the things we think, harbor in our heart, and say that accuses God! ". . .who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21).

Fifth, He Found Weeping! "When Jesus saw (Mary) weeping, and the Jews that were there. . .also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled. . .Jesus wept" (John 11:33 and 35). Our weepings solicit the Divine Groaning and compassion! "In the same way the (Holy) Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes (stands in the gap praying) for us with groanings too deep for words. . . ." (Romans 8:26).

Do you know this Christian song? "If you've knelt beside the rubble of an aching broken heart, When the things you gave your life to fell apart; You're not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief or pain; But the Master promised sunshine after the rain.

Hold on, my child, joy comes in the morning, Weeping only lasts for the night. Hold on, my child, joy comes in the morning, The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight."

Sixth, He Found Undying Faith! As already noted, this Bethany family lived out their faith in daily life and they were quick and ready to affirm their faith! Death, sorrow, grief and mourning could not undermine, diminish or abolish their faith nor their verbalization of their faith! Let that truly be said of us!

Seventh, He Found True Worship! "Mary fell at His feet."

THE RESULTS OF JESUS BEING THERE!

1) Lazarus was raised from the dead (John 11:43-44). A Divine Miracle!

2) Mary and Martha's full assurance and confidence were restored (See John 12:1-2)

3) The Glory of the Son of God (Jesus) was truly manifested as He said would happen. (John 11:4).

Jesus wants to come to your home and to your family, minister to you personally, bear your burdens and meet your needs! When He comes to your home, what will He find and what will be the results of Him being there? HOME - When Jesus Shows Up!