See Ye That Ye Refuse Not Him That Speaketh - Part 1118

"And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed." (Joel 2:26)

Some might argue (and perhaps, justifiably so) that modern day church desires have become one and the same as the desires of the world. The focus on money and congregational success, along with building funds that lead to bigger buildings and worldwide denominational administrations has not helped in convincing the world of the glorious and wondrous power of God. The miracles that saw people healed by one's shadow (as was the case of Peter), or even, the promise that "the spirits of just men [can] be made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23)
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The scriptures instruct: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and fain in your minds." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

And, as such, "know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible crown." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)

James told us that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth -- that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." (James 1:17-18)

And Peter to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia -- elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ wrote -- "For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot -- who by Him do believe in God that raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory -- that your faith and hope might be in God." (I Peter 1:18-25)

This is not to suggest that there isn't a rightful purpose for the assembling of saints, or that certain activities within the church structure don't have some merit in reaching out to the lost. But what I am suggesting is that our focal point should not be on man-made religious constructs -- over the glorious and miraculous promises of our Lord Jesus. Indeed, we should be offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15) The precious name of Jesus -- the only name under heaven given in this day whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) And keenly listening to His instruction in our day to day.

The scriptural account of Lazarus provides much insight in this regard.

Herein, Jesus is telling His disciples, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps but I go that I may awake him out of sleep." (John 11:11-12) At this point, Jesus already knew that Lazarus had died. But the disciples took this to mean that Lazarus was simply resting. This is why Jesus had to tell the disciples plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe. Nevertheless, let us go unto him." (John 11:13-15)

This is not the only example in the scriptures whereby Jesus had to be more forthcoming in His instruction to the disciples. Even though these same people walked with Jesus day in and day out, there were still times when their understanding of Jesus still fell short. This is certainly one of those times. But I digress.

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the grave for four days. By then, many Jews had come to comfort Mary and Martha concerning the loss of their brother so they were not alone. In other words -- at least from the worldly and religious perspectives -- there was nothing else that could be done. Even Martha when she had heard that Jesus was coming, said, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother [would not have] died." (John 11:16-22)

But then what did she say to Jesus? "But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it to Thee." (John 11:16-22) Her faith never doubting that Jesus could perform the much needed miracle and bring Lazarus back to life.

And what happened when Jesus said, "Thy brother SHALL rise again." (John 11:23) Even after Lazarus has been in the grave -- dead -- for four days, Jesus told Martha that her brother shall rise again. Why? Because as Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whatsoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26)

At this point, Martha verbally recognizes Jesus for who He is, saying, "Yea Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:27-29)

Think about this scene for a moment. When Jesus therefore saw Mary weeping, and the Jews [that had followed Mary because they thought she was going to Lazarus' grave] also weeping, which came with her, He groaned in the Spirit, and was troubled. (John 11:36) He asked where Lazarus had been laid and they said, "Lord, come and see." Note here that "Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

Jesus wept because even after He had already performed wondrous miracles among them -- opening the eyes of the blind so that they could see, and making the lame to walk -- His friends( who should have known in their hearts what God could do), failed to see His abundance of love and mercy. His grace that extends to one and all without prejudice if we would only believe in Him -- the Almighty God who loved us enough to clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh so that we might know Him personally. He wept.

But upon seeing Jesus weep, the Jews who were there said concerning Jesus, "Behold, how He loved him." What they did not realize is that Jesus was not weeping for Lazarus (because He already knew what was about to happen) but for the Jews and the others who stood around grieving. Some of those standing around asked, "Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" (John 11:37)

Jesus therefore AGAIN groaning in Himself went to Lazarus' grave. "Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou should see the glory of God?" When the stone was removed, Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always, but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me." (John 11:40-42)

Sadly, the mindset of the Jews in this example appears to be the same mindset among wannabe Christians. We go to church and perform the Christian chores within the church but we don't recognize that Jesus is the Head, and He desires so much more from us -- to the point that I am sure, He still groans in Himself at our unbelief. He still groans at our focus on worldly and religious constructs rather than solely on our Lord God and Saviour.

"If thou wouldest believe, thou should see the glory of God." (John 11:40-42)

Only believe, Jesus said. If there was ever a time that we need to press into Jesus, it is now. Listen to what Jesus has to say. Seek His counsel in everything that we do in word or deed. Search the scriptures, as Jesus instructed, "for therein they speak of Me." And look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2) But most of all, see ye that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. (Hebrews 12:25) Stand in the offering plate.