Zooming in and out of a picture or story gives us different perspectives. When we zoom out of the story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, we see the story that Jesus is living. The story of walking toward death for the sake of life.
As soon as Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the plot to kill Jesus begins. Even as he is bringing resurrection and life back to this community, he is walking toward his death that will lead to resurrection and life for all people. What Jesus did in the life of one man, in a community in Bethany, he will do for the world.
our temptation
We live zoomed in on our stories. And when we have to wait, we are restless for what is to come. While we wait, we are all tempted.
Even Jesus was tempted (Luke 4:1–13). Our temptations can include making things happen out of sync with life and God’s timing, withdrawing and isolating as we turn in on ourselves and exclude others, or denying what is happening. Or maybe even more practical things such as: overeating or over drinking, bursts of anger, or lethargy with work that needs to be done. Sometimes our waiting will be for a few days and for other things a lifetime. Waiting is hard. But it does not have to be done alone. As with any temptation, the invitation from Jesus is to pour ourselves out to him, to know him more deeply, to wait in community, and to get any other help we need.
as we wait
Martha, Mary, and the community had to wait for the resurrection of Lazarus. The disciples and the women at the cross had to wait for the resurrection of Jesus. Life from death requires waiting. As we wait, we prepare for what we know, and we rest. Key word: rest.
When the women at the cross saw Jesus’s body taken down, they followed it to the tomb and watched how it was laid (Luke 23:50–55). Then they went back home and prepared ointments and spices for the body of Jesus. They stayed present with what they knew and prepared for what was to come. Then the women rested according to the commandment of the Sabbath (Luke 23:56).
The invitation that is extended to us is to rest. Rest from our worries, rest from solving the problems, rest from idle busyness that makes us feel better because at least there is some type of movement. Rest in the provision of Jesus, trusting that resurrection will come in its time.
what are you waiting for?
For some things, resurrection will come in this life. For other things, we will have to wait until the final resurrection when all things are made new and death is no longer. While we wait, we grieve, we rest, and we remain in the present while preparing for the future.
What are you waiting to see resurrected? Is it a marriage? A relationship? A loved one’s life? Maybe it is the spiritual life of another? Or maybe it is your own life?
Dear God, thank you for your presence, for your grace and loving kindness, and for never giving up on me even when I may have doubts and fears. I ask today for you to step in and be my source and strength as I grow restless in the waiting. Help me not to lose focus on you and what you have called me to do in my life. I ask that you surround me with others to walk along side with during this journey, but to not neglect the ones that are sent along the way. Help me me to not grow weary doing good and to take time to rest in you so that I may continue to move forward in the direction you are leading. I love you, praise you and thank you in advance for what you will do in and through my life. I ask this all in Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
Beautiful and am in agreement- amen
Complete and well stated??Thank you Shameika
Beautifully stated indeed
Thank you for this very complete prayer/ just what I need shameika.
Dear Lord thank you for what you did on the cross for me. For the power of the resurrection. And how that applies to my life. Lord I lay at the cross the concerns of my marriage. I am grateful how you saved my marriage and have blessed my family. However you know the longings of my Heart and how I long for intimacy in my relationship with my husband. Thank you for showing me your amazing love, you’re amazing peace, And you’re blessed kindness to me and my family. I pray this in Jesus name. Your daughter, The daughter of the one true king, Michelle
Praying for you and your husband. God redeemed my marriage after intimate betrayal two years ago. Although I don’t know your struggle, I understand that desire for intimacy and depth in my marriage. Praying you finding oneness and blessings.
Thank you for this. My prayer is the same. This made me feel not alone <3
Dear God, I thank you for hearing my prayer, thank you for your love, grace, and mercy to me. I want to serve you and others with my writing and my business. I have been blocked and terrified to share with others for fear I will be rejected and ignored. I am never alone, you are always with me. Help me to let go of people and relationships that are no longer a part of your plan for my life. I open my heart to receive the blessing of new relationships. I will wait upon You, Father for your guidance, wisdom and strength. I will obey you and wait in this season. You know what is best for me. I trust You, Father, for your plans for my life, I love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. I know you will lead me out of the darkness and confusion I feel, and my words will flow again blessed by You! Father, you will show me who to serve and I trust they will be wonderful. All this I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Heavenly Father ,we praise you for all! I know you are with us , even when we feel discouraged. Like Martha it’s hard when we are use to being busy, and when in such a time as this, we’re not able to do what we feel is the norm for you. Through social media and the various if equip methods we are able to reach out to others and we thank you for-technology! Give us strength to be more patient in our relationships at home or work or with family. You were patient with with Martha and Mary when they doubted., And you are patient with us and we don’t act in HolyManner…Forgive Us and help us to dwell in the power of your Holy Spirit… we pray in Jesus name…
Dear Lord,
Thank you Lord for your of invitation rest. Yes, yes, yes! Lord I come before you, and like Mary, fall before you at your feet. Quiet my mind, my body and my soul. Lord, you are my refuge and my shelter. In you, I have perfect peace and rest for my soul. Life and worldly circumstances seem to rage around these days but as I trust and take refuge in you, all becomes still and quiet again. Thank you Lord for calling me and inviting me into your shelter, where there is safety and calm. Lord, thank you for your love that surrounds me and beacons me to come away with you. Lord, thank you for direction when the world seems so directionless. You are my firm foundation, my living water, my vinedresser and so much more. Thank you for your promises, for daily ressurection and the one that is to come. May my daily hope be focused on the day of your return and may my life be lived as a lamp lit in expectancy. In Jesus Name, name above all names, Amen!