Out of the darkness

Into the Light

WALK IN THE LIGHT

part four

Jesus Calls

 “My soul trusts in You, O God, and in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge until these calamities have passed by.” Psalms 57:1

When Jesus wept, some of the friends with Mary marveled at how much He loved His friend Lazarus. But some of the people said critically, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind have kept His friend from dying?”

Oh such familiar words! “Could not a powerful God have kept such a terrible thing from happening?”

You can just hear what they did not say, “If he cares so much, why didn’t he just get over here quicker and heal Lazarus?”

Yet, how many times have I said pretty much the same things. “Why, God, didn’t You move a little faster?”

Interesting that they believed Jesus could heal, but not bring someone back from the dead. Yet don’t I tend to limit God’s power to what I know and have seen?

Jesus walked to the tomb of Lazarus with Mary and Martha and He kept sighing and was deeply troubled. Jesus had compassion for His friend’s grief, He hated to see them hurt, but I think He is deeply troubled because of the unbelief He sees.

Jesus is troubled because of my unbelief; because I waiver; because I don’t trust Him when He tarries and things go all wrong; when it seems everything is out of control and I have great troubles; when I don’t believe the Most High can turn even this thing into good; when I grumble and complain about the small irritations in my life.

The tomb was a cave in the rock with a big stone in front of it and Jesus tells them to move the stone away.

“No!” cries Martha, “Lord, he has been in there four days, he’s really going to stink!”

Jesus looks at her, His eyes capturing her gaze and boring deep into her soul, “Martha, dear-realistic-sensible Martha,” sadly He shakes His head, “did I not promise you if you truly believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?” (from John 11:40 amp)

Jesus didn’t say she would see her desires met or all her prayers answered the way she wants, no, He said, you will see the glory of God, the will of the Father, the hand of God working for your good and His Glory.

Martha stumbles back, “But-but—” as Jesus turns away I can just hear her mumble, “we’re for sure going to smell something and it’s stench will not be glorious! I can tell you that!”

I imagine Mary elbowing her outspoken sister as she whispers, “Martha!”

Several young burly men put their shoulders to the large stone and with a loud grating sound, they move it from the opening. There is much murmuring amongst the many friends, neighbors and acquaintances that are gathered near by.

Jesus steps up to the gapping back hole of the tomb. He lifts His eyes to Heaven. He is still. The crowd grows quiet. The birds stop their singing.

“Father,” Jesus says in a soft voice that reaches the very edges of the crowd, “Thank You that You have heard me.”

In the face of unbelief, Jesus gives thanks before there is an answer.

“I know, Father, that You always hear me. There is no reason for Me to even speak, but because of these ones standing near by, because they don’t believe, I say this out loud, so they will know it is God Almighty who has sent Me, and who gives me power. It is not Me but only You, Father God.”

With a loud voice, He shouts, “Lazarus come out!”

No one moves. No one takes a breath. Not a sound is heard.

From inside the cave, there is a rustling. A movement is seen inside the dark shadows of the tomb. An intake of breath, a gasp from the crowd.

A white form appears in the entrance of the cave. The linen grave clothes are wrapped tightly about the limbs. Stiffly the form steps through the opening and comes into the light. A cloth covers his face. Blinded and confused, he stands still.

Can you imagine the gasps? The cries? Martha taking in a quick breath and saying, “Oh my!”

Mary crying, “Thank you Jesus!” And falling to her knees with tears of joy running down her cheeks.

Jesus called his name and Lazarus stepped forth, from the darkness into the Light.

“Unbind him, ” Jesus says, “free him so he may see. And so you may believe.”

He who was dead is now alive.

He who was bound by chains of this world is now loosed.

He who was hidden in darkness now walks in the Light.

Those who are bowed down by heavy burdens can now throw their load at the feet of Jesus.

It wasn’t for Lazarus’ sake that Jesus brought him back to life. Lazarus had to come back from paradise. Can you imagine the stories he had to tell?

It wasn’t really for Mary and Martha’s sake, since they both believed and Jesus would have taken care of them.

No, it was for the ones who troubled Jesus deeply. The power of God was revealed for those who don’t believe. And for those of us who stumble and forget to lean on our Deliverer. Who take our eyes off His face and become anxious about our circumstances. For those of us who fret because He delays and become angry because He didn’t answer our prayers the way we wanted. For those of us who forget He, God Almighty who controls the universe, holds our lives in the palm of His mighty hand. Who lose sight of His mercy, and who no longer feel His unending love, it is for us, He reveals His glory.

“You who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again. And shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth and comfort me on every side.” Ps. 71:20-21

I have seen trouble, great and severe, I have felt massive pain, but it was the darkness that taught me to seek His face. In the storm I learned to hide under His wings and dwell in His secret place. It was during the climb that I learned to hang on for dear life to His hand. When I was lost and confused, I learned to walk in the Light, close to His side.

Sometimes He stills His hand from working. Sometimes He tarries, and I thank Him that He does.

“Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings, I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You, Your right hand upholds me.” Ps. 63:7-8

Are you lost and confused?

Are you captured by troubles?

Are you dead in sin?

Are you bound by chains of darkness?

Are you bowed down by burdens too heavy to bear?

Do you feel alone in your sorrow?

Are you wearing the ball and chain of pain?

Are you afraid of tomorrow?

Jesus calls your name.

He says, “Come! Rise out of the darkness. I will break your chains, I will loose your bindings, I will lighten your load, I will control your tomorrows, I will heal your sorrow. I will never leave you or forsake you. Trust Me. Walk in the Light.”

“I am the Light of the world, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of the life.” John 8:12

From John 11

“Your goodness so great I can’t understand

But dear Lord, I know that all this was planned.

I know You’re here now and always will be

Your love loosed my chains and in You I’m free.

But Jesus why me?

And Jesus said, “Come,

to the waters.

Stand by my side.

I know you are thirsty

You won’t be denied.

I felt every tear drop

When in darkness you cried

And I strove to remind you

That for those tears

I died.”

For Those Tears I Died, by Marsh Stevens

Walk in the Light

Jesus is the light of the world