All For His Glory

John 11:1-11

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “All For His Glory”! Starring, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, Jesus, and the Disciples! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

Lazarus: (Moaning in pain and agony) Mmmmm… ugghhh… Martha…. Mary….

Martha: Lazarus! Lazarus! Oh no! Mary, his condition is getting worse!

Mary: God, if you’re listening, please help our ailing brother.

Martha: If Jesus was here, He would save our brother. Mary, let’s send word to Jesus that we desperately need His help.

Mary: Alright sister, I’ll make haste to do so. Lazarus, you hold on. I’m sending a messenger to find Jesus.

Lazarus: (Moaning goes from intense, to subtle, as Lazarus drifts into sleep) mmm…hmmm…Mar..

(Messenger arrives where Jesus is, and is met by the disciples)

Messenger: Excuse me. Pardon me, but is the healer here?

Disciples: If you’re referring to Jesus, yes. He is.

Messenger: If possible, could you bid Him to come, because I have an urgent message to deliver.

Disciples: Whatever you have to tell the Master, you can say to us.

Messenger: Well, if you insist. The message reads, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”

(Jesus overhears the message)

Jesus: Worry not kind sir, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of man might be glorified thereby.”

Disciples: Oh, hello Master. We were just…

Jesus: It’s ok men. Tell them I will come soon (to the messenger).

Messenger: Thank you my Lord. I shall.

Disciples: Master, what’s going on? What was that all about? Do you know who the man was referring to?

Jesus: Prepare yourselves men, for in two days, we will journey again to Judea.

Disciples: Woah woah woah! Wait a minute. My Lord, a few weeks ago the Jews there sought to stone you. It’s too dangerous to return there now. Don’t you agree?

Jesus: Gentlemen, when you know the plan of the enemy, you can wisely plan around it.

Disciples: Oooooh, right. That makes so much sense. You are beyond man’s wisdom, my Lord

Jesus: Besides, you’ll soon see and understand my purpose in doing things the way I do, then youI’ll believe.

*The disciples often questioned the methods Jesus used in certain situations, and failed to see the spiritual significance behind it, but the longer they observed His works, the more they realized how amazing the power of God was, working through His Son. Oftentimes we see things in our own lives that may appear as dead, but God allows things to be put on hold, long enough for the world to assume it’s over, so that He can then restore life and purpose to that dead situation. In times when you don’t understand God’s plan, keep the faith, and watch how He works things out in your favor.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “All For His Glory”! Thanks for tuning in.

Busy Bee!

Luke 10:38-42

If Jesus came to visit you for a day, what questions would you ask Him (if any)? Would you spend most of your time making His stay pleasant and comfortable, or would you focus all your attention on hearing everything He has to say? This was the situation that took place in Bethany, when Jesus visited His friends Martha and Mary.

The sisters were fond of Jesus, and He in turn thought it necessary to visit them. Martha received Jesus into their home, then made preparations to accommodate His stay, whereas Mary kept her eyes and ears focused on Jesus alone. At some point during the day, Martha had become aggravated at the fact that while she seemed to be doing all the serving, Mary’s lack of help was bothersome. So, Martha approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” While serving Jesus wasn’t bad at all, hearing what He had to say was more important, in that moment. Jesus was only visiting for a brief time, and it was better to first hear Him speak, then go from there. Not everyone was privileged to be in the presence of Jesus, and Mary knew to take advantage of the opportunity.

Oftentimes we find ourselves being too busy to take time out for God. Many of us work our fingers to the bone, or occupy our time with things that can be delayed, in order to spend a little time in the Word. While Martha did well in serving the Lord, she failed to realize, He came to render service to her household. Never allow yourself to become too busy until God is placed last on your to-do list. Do as Mary did and choose the good part (The Word of God), which is something that can never be taken away from you, then all else will fall into place.

Precious Oil

John 12:1-7

During one of many plots to kill Jesus, the Son of God was wise enough to avoid his pursuers, until the appropriate time of fulfillment. In our text, Jesus kept Himself concealed from His accusers, then went to visit His friends in Bethany. As His time on the earth neared its end, Jesus thought it necessary to commune with those close to Him. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, were near to Jesus’ heart, and offered Him food and rest, during his stay in their town.

One evening, after supper was prepared, Martha began to serve Jesus and Lazarus who sat at the table, but Mary had a different gift for the Savior. Rather than bring food or items essential to supper, Mary brought to Jesus an expensive ointment, or perfume, and poured all of it over the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. While Jesus acknowledged that Mary saved this ointment for this very moment, the Bible doesn’t mention how her siblings reacted to her act. But, it vividly expressed the heart of one, Judas, who followed Jesus closely. Rather than see the significance of Mary’s blessed action, Judas revealed, through his words, the true intentions of his wicked heart. In his own words, Judas said, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” (vs. 5). While his words seemed to offer genuine concern for the poor, his true heart’s intent was the total opposite. John writes that Judas cared nothing for the poor, because he was a thief, who would even steal from the money bag which belonged to the disciples. The whole time he followed Jesus, Judas was dishonest in his secret, evil doings. So, thinking he actually cared about Mary’s oil being wasted, and being used in a different way is almost laughable.

We will never understand everyone’s relationship with God. Where some can give seemingly inexpensive sacrifices, others can freely give up those things that are extremely valuable to them. Never judge how man chooses to bless God, rather focus on keeping your own heart pure, so that your sacrifices can be acceptable to God as well.

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell

I am the resurrection and the life

John 11:17-27

Reading the Bible, can at times, be more entertaining than watching a Hollywood film. Jesus was, and is the Master teacher, Messiah, and Son of the living God, but His disciples didn’t fully grasp His concepts of power and redemption too well, until after His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus and His disciples had fled from Judea in the previous chapter, because the Jews attempted to stone Him for apparently speaking blasphemy. They felt that Jesus being a man, was in error for considering Himself God. Jesus kindly corrected them with their own laws, then fled the scene, because the wicked Jews ignored the truth, in favor of their evil motives.

While settling in with His disciples beyond Jordan, a messenger sent by Mary and Martha brought word to Jesus that His friend Lazarus, whom He loved, was sick. The average person who hears news of a sick friend would immediately make an attempt to visit, or contact them in some way, but Jesus played things a little different from ordinary folk. Rather than simply pack His bags and hurry toward Lazarus, Jesus decided to wait a few more days, not out of neglect, but to allow more time to pass so He could demonstrate His love and power to a greater degree. Some may consider Jesus a show-off, but He was far from that. The world He lived in was wicked, and full of evil, and they needed to see a real power that could not only rival sin, but could put it away forever.

After breaking the news to His disciples, Jesus prepared to go and visit His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but the disciples reminded Him how a few weeks before, the Jews sought to kill Him. Jesus explained to them that He had everything under control, and that Lazarus was only sleeping, and He would go to wake him up. The disciples weren’t tuned in too well in the Spirit, as they assumed Lazarus was literally sleeping, and that he would be alright. Here’s another moment where Jesus shook His head at the disciples and told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead” (vs.14). Going back to Bethany exposed Jesus to possible death, but He and His disciples set off to show men the power the comes from the God of Heaven, and earth.

As Jesus neared the town where His friends were, Martha heard, and ran to meet Him. No doubt in tears, Martha told Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. While this may have been true, what more of a miracle would it be to raise a man from the dead, than to heal him of a sickness. Jesus already knew that His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead, because He made sure not to come until four days had passed. Men were considered definitely dead after three days in the grave, so adding an extra day made Lazarus’ death a bit more certain. Going back to the beginning of this chapter, Jesus explained the situation in its entirety, yet no one paid attention, because everyone allowed their emotions to overshadow everything else. Jesus said in verse four, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” God was going to allow a temporary death, so that His glory could be manifested by a resurrection. Jesus would soon face His death as well, but His resurrection would come with power, love, and redemption for all mankind.

Walk in love,

Ell

Mary anoints Jesus’ body for burial

John 12:1-8

Jesus did a lot during His time on the earth to ruffle the feathers of those who refused to accept that He was indeed the Son of God, who came to remove the stain of sin, so that mankind could be restored to their rightful place in God. Jesus healed an innumerable number of men, women, and children who suffered sickness and disease, raised some from the dead, opened blinded eyes, and relieved others from demonic possession. Knowing and even witnessing many of these miraculous events, the chief priests and Pharisees still made multiple attempts to take Jesus, and kill Him. Although Jesus prophesied His death on multiple occasions, no man could take His life, until He was ready, and willing to lay it down. But as a man, Jesus still had to be wise, and flee from those who sought to take His life.

A short while after Jesus raised His friend Lazarus from the dead, many came to believe on Him, while others went to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done. These foolish and ignorant men came together to decide how to put Him to death, because they feared that if they allowed Jesus to continue performing miracles, then all men would believe on Him. They also feared that the Romans would eventually come in and destroy their nation and take away their perverted temples.

The Passover celebration was fast approaching, and many considered the fact that Jesus would more than likely show up, but rather than roam around where men sought to report Him to the authorities, Jesus wisely took an alternative route and pitched camp in a city called Ephraim, where He continued ministering unto His disciples near the wilderness. He knew that men sought to kill Him, so He laid low for a few, to spend a little more quality time with His boys. He would then set out to visit His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in their hometown of Bethany. While with His friends, Jesus sat at the table with Lazarus, as his sister Martha served all those in attendance. While Martha served, Mary went to gather a precious ointment of spikenard, that she had saved for the moment when Jesus would face His death, brought it, then anointed the feet of Jesus. As she wiped His feet with her hair, the aroma from the expensive ointment filled the entire house. What a humble gesture Mary presented to Jesus, but sometimes a good deed isn’t always appreciated by everyone. Judas spoke out and asked why did Mary waste her expensive ointment, when it could have been sold for a great sum, then given to the poor. First of all, this is the same man who would soon betray Jesus, and the Bible states clearly in verse six, “not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” In other words, he was probably thinking that he could have stolen the ointment (he probably had already taken some of their items), and got a good price for it. It’s a very dangerous thing to express selfish desires in the presence of Christ, but rather than blast Judas for the betrayer he was, Jesus made another reference to His death that literally went over the disciple’s heads once again. Jesus said in verses seven and eight, “Ler her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Mary did a great thing in the eyes of Jesus and His disciples, as well as in the eyes of God. Knowing that Christ would soon be gone, she thought it not robbery to bless Him with what was possibly her most valuable possession. Christ now sits at the right hand of His Father, but is soon to return to the earth. Are you holding back your most expensive possession (yourselves), in exchange for the futile cares of this evil world? Time is ticking fast, yet many of us live as though we can do whatever we want, when we want. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Don’t waste your precious life seeking only to prosper in this world, because it means more to your eternity to invest in Kingdom business. Do as Mary did, and pour out yourselves at the feet of Jesus, and ignore all those who wouldn’t understand that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Walk in love,

Ell