'Even now' faith

John 11:20 - 27

when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 

V39-40

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? So they took the stone away” 

It is interesting how we can read these verses and think that perhaps Martha isn't really as devoted to Jesus as first she appears. 

She initially states that, "even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” This seems like Martha has complete, absolute trust in Jesus. She recognises that he has a special connection with God, and whatever Jesus asks from God, he gets. When Jesus speaks, it happens. 

Then, a while later, probably a few hours later (not a few days, weeks or months, but a few hours), Martha says, "Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days". This seems to be in the opposite vein to her declared faith a few hours ago. She had declared that, 'even now' she knew Jesus could ask for whatever he wanted, and it would happen. 

I think what this 'even now' means, is that, eventhough her brother has died, Martha has not lost her faith in who Jesus is. 

She knew, if Jesus had been there, her brother, Lazarus, would of been healed. She knows that God hears Jesus, and answers his prayers, she knows that Jesus is the son of God, she knows that he is the Christ. Martha has no doubt about who Jesus is.

Yet...

When Jesus comes to the tomb, and asks for the stone to be rolled away, Martha doesn't quite know what's happening. She doesn't understand what Jesus is up to, so she questions and puts into practice good old logical thinking.

Don't we all do that? 

In a difficult or odd situation, don't we look at the logical, practical outcome? Because we don't understand that something different could happen? 

What Jesus was asking was odd, it's like someone suggesting, after someone had been dead and buried that we dig up their coffin and have a look. Most of us would question why and probably think it's disrespectful and unnecessary.

To be honest, I marvel at Martha's faith. She is completely confident in who Jesus is. Grief, trouble and potential hardship are not knocking her faith. Her faith is secure. She doesn't question - does God exist? Does He care? Why doesn't He do something? No, Martha in fact asserts that she KNOWS who Jesus is - That doesn't change. Here Martha doesn't question who He is, she just doesn't understand what He is up to.

Who Jesus is doesn't change when your circumstances do. 

He is the same yesterday, today and forever, just because your situation may change, doesn't mean He does. Our perspective of who He is might, and we might not understand what God is up to at times, but it doesn't mean He has disappeared. 

Martha didn't understand why Jesus wanted the tomb opened, He was up to something that no-one ever does. Martha was being practical, sensible and level-headed. Don't we do just the same? 

It's easy to trust in our own experiences and the 'norms' of life, rather than tread down the unknown path. Jesus was doing something a bit weird, and no-one knew why. Jesus didn't explain himself either, he just asked a question, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God". This question inspired trust in those standing by, and some people who were present rolled away the stone. Expecting to see death and decay. Instead Lazarus was alive! They experienced the unbelievable! 

Sometimes, we have to hold onto that complete confidence in Jesus like Martha did. Recognise that, yeah, this is tough, I don't know what God is doing, but He is doing something. Wait, like they did. Jesus didn't force the issue, it was up to the people there to do what he was saying. They went with it, they had no idea why Jesus wanted to enter a tomb with a rotting body in it, but what was the worst that could happen? 

We need the same faith. Martha knew. She knew Jesus, she knew who He was, she had heard and seen what He can do. So, when it came to Jesus wanting to do something quite odd, she didn't understand it, she did question it, not in a bad way, but she went with it. Then she experience something so wonderful. In the midst of painful grief, she saw God do the impossible! 

So, let's aim to have faith like Martha, that strives on when it's tough, and that has eyes that are open to see what God is about. Then we might just experience the impossible! 

Can you see where you are going?

Most of us don't start a journey by blindfolding ourselves because:

- it's scary

- you could fall over

- you might not end up going the right way

Not having light makes a journey more difficult. It doesn't mean it's impossible,  but it does put us at a disadvantage. 

The journey of life is the same. Without light, it's more scary, there are obstacles and you might end up going in the wrong direction.

So I want to ask you, can you see where you are going? 

Are you trying to walk through life with the lights on or off? 

This is what Jesus says;

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

So, if you're walking life your own way, without Jesus as a part of it, you're walking with the lights off. 

Jesus is the light. 

He can show you the way to go.

If you've not accepted Him as a part of your life, then you are walking in darkness. It's scarier, there's uncertainty about where your going or what obstacles there are, and it's more difficult. 

Why make life hard for yourself? 

Invite Jesus to be part of your life, and he will light the way. 

He will show you the way to go, he'll be with you on the journey and give you insight, you might even be able to avoid the discomfort of a few obstacles!

Jesus is, 'the light of the world'. He provides us with the ability to see more clearly what our lives are about. 

We all know that in a dark room things become clearer once we turn a light on, it makes a big difference. 

Having Jesus in your life makes a big difference. 

When you turn the light on, you see the obstacles to avoid, you no longer have to trip over them. You see the route you need to take. There is less fear. Following Jesus is like that. What you see changes. 

The purpose of where you are going and what you are doing is made clearer.

Do you want to see where you are going? 

Go, and from now on sin no more

John chapter 8

The first section you come to in this chapter is entitled, 'The woman caught in adultery'.

 Some of you may know this account. It's about a woman, brought in front of Jesus by the 'scribes and pharisees'. 

The scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders who have authority to teach and guide the people in the Jewish faith.

These leaders had authority, they were knowledgeable about scripture and aware of the intricacies of faith. 

So, if they were the responsible leaders, why did they bring this woman in front of Jesus? 

It was intended as a giant trap. 

They were pretty clever. 'This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him'.  They wanted to challenge Jesus. They wanted to catch him out. To test on whose authority he stood, and if he truly upheld the law. 

Here was a woman who had clearly done something wrong, she had broken the religious law by committing adultery. So, they wanted to know what Jesus was going to do about it.

The Pharisees and scribes knew the scriptures, they read and understood the practicalities, the rules, regulations and judgements within the religious law. They knew from scripture that this woman deserved punishment. By stoning no less.

Really, it's a pretty perfect trap. They bring forth a 'sinner', display their faults and wait to see what Jesus (who claims to be God) does about it. 

If he goes with the religious leaders and administers a punishment, then he is siding with them, but not showing love and grace. If he doesn't agree with their decision then he is clearly a 'law'-breaker. He will then lose credit as a teacher of the law, as he would clearly not be acknowledging or following it. 

So, in the midst of this dilemma, what does Jesus do? 

Well, it seems that for a bit he kind of ignores them. 

He wrote on the ground. I have no idea what he wrote. It doesn't really seem that he is overly interested in the accusations of this group of leaders though. They come to him with this 'problem' and Jesus doesn't seem to even really acknowledge them at first. So, they continue to question him. Then, Jesus eventually responds, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

Having looked into this, Jesus isn't actually implying that only people who have never done anything wrong can condemn (that would rule out everyone apart from him anyway). Jesus is actually referring to the law that the leaders were anxious to follow. The rule was that those who witness the crime have to start throwing stones first. Then others follow. However, the first person to throw a stone must have no part in the sin itself. They must be free from that particular deed. In their lives they must not of participated in the same act. 

So then, what happens? 

They all leave! 

The religious leaders that were wanting to condemn, judge and punish this woman were actually all guilty themselves, of the same sin! 

Jesus, cleverly, reminded them of what the law, the very same law, that they seem so keen to uphold, actually says and he challenged them with it. They seemed so keen to judge and punish this woman, but would they apply the same rules to themselves?

One of the things I want to bring to your attention out of this account is, that many people believe that God is a judge who calls forth punishment, restrictions, rules and regulations. However, if you look at this story, what does the Son of God actually do? 

He doesn't condemn, he doesn't punish. He turns round to the woman and says; "Go, and from now on sin no more". 

Jesus gives the woman freedom.

That's what you can have to. 

You are probably already aware of the mess of your own lives, and when you come in front of Jesus, he will not judge you. He will give you the opportunity to go free. You don't have to live feeling convicted and condemned for the rest of your life, you can have the opportunity to, "Go, and from now on sin no more". 

If you put your trust in Jesus, then you can walk, Scot-free from all your sin. He will give you the opportunity to walk away from it. Jesus encourages you to not do it again, but he won't force restrictions upon you. 

The next step is up to you. 

Pilgrimage of life

Everyday, I see people going through the same routines, they tread (or drive) the same path, day in, day out. I include myself in this as I tread the same path, 5 days a week to take the kids to school. 

It can look quite impressive, a whole hoard of people making their way to the same destination. 

In the quest for something. (But what?) It reminds me of a pilgrimage. 

It has made me think, our lives are a journey, but to what end? 

What is the purpose of our life's pilgrimage? 

We are all going somewhere, we all have purpose, drive and passion which direct us, but where to? 

Are we blindly just strolling along, as I do, on autopilot on the school/work run? Not really paying attention to the route, just conscious of the target?

Or are you eagerly searching? Aware of your journey and destination? Sure of your purpose? 

A Pilgrimage is - A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.

A quest for illumination.

Are you just bumbling along, (like I do in the mornings) doing what needs to be done in order to get to where you want to go? Or are you aware that your life has a purpose? It has significance? Your journey is 'of exalted purpose'.

As I think about life, and this journey, I realise that we are all on a pilgrimage, but to what, or for what? 

What is your life about? 

What is the purpose of it? 

What is it, at the end of your life, that you want to achieve? 

Once you figure that out think about how you are going to get there. The journey is often as important as the destination. 

The Israelites had a 40 year journey in the desert. They knew their destination was 'the promised land', but they had to endure the journey first. Long and arduous your journey may seem, like the Israelites, but what is 'the promised land' you are travelling towards? 

The Israelites, God's people knew their end goal. 

Do you know yours? 

Leave me alone!

Do you ever want to be left alone, away from the pressures of life and people?

Well, it might surprise you to hear that Jesus felt the same. 

He often wanted to be alone and get away from people pressure. 

In John's gospel, I am reading that Jesus tried to go up mountains alone, he sent the disciples off in a boat so he could be alone. He often tried to sneak off to lonely places. Often though, people continued to follow Jesus, they didn't leave him be. He didn't get as much alone time as he would of liked it seems. 

Does that sound familiar? 

As great as it is to be in community and build relationships with people, (and that is vitally important as we were created to have relationships with one another), we also need some alone time. 

Why?

We often want to be alone to; get some peace, to evaluate a situation/feelings/relationship, to work through things, plan, do something we like, get some perspective, or just vent! 

Sometimes, we feel like we just need to be alone. That's ok, Jesus felt the same too!

He often withdrew, or wanted to! 

Why? 

As Jesus was fully man, I'm guessing that he probably struggled with some of the same stuff as we do. I'm sure he sometimes felt; frustrated, disappointed and lonely. The Bible even shows us that Jesus felt like he had to do what he didn't want to do! (in the garden of Gethsemane). Jesus wanted to escape sometimes too. 

So what did he do?

Luke 5:16 says, 'Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed'.

Jesus didn't keep his feelings all bottled up, he talked to his father about them, he vented his feelings, and sought a solution. Like us, he sometimes wanted a different solution to the one he was given. However, he got on with it. No matter the emotional and physical pain. 

To do what he had to do, Jesus must of found strength and perspective when he went to talk to God. 

Jesus task was hard, so hard, he realised he could not do it alone (and he's the son of God!). He also knew that calling on friends to help wouldn't be enough, so he went to the one who can create and change the world! Jesus knew where help, peace, endurance, strength and fulfilment can come from. 

If you're feeling like you want to be alone, that things pile up on you and you're overwhelmed, try it. Go to God, tell him about it. There's no secret formula to prayer, just talk. God will hear you. See if anything changes.

Christians smell!

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

'But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.'

"We are the aroma of Christ"

As christians we should smell of Christ, stand out, have a significant odour of Jesus. Smelling of God!

What does that mean? 

When someone wears; perfume, aftershave, or even steps in poop, you notice. 

The aroma stands out. 

We sense it, we recognise that it's not an everyday, commonplace aroma otherwise we'd not notice it. 

We all have associations with smells. A certain washing powder might remind you of someone, the whiff of mulled wine may remind you of Christmas. Even unpleasant smells like the smell of a public toilet have connotations. (It makes my nose crinkle just thinking about it!)

But I think this is what this passage is about. 

As christians, we smell! 

To some people it'll be a pleasant aroma, something attractive and compelling. To others it'll be like a public toilet, something they DO NOT want to be around! 

If we are christians, we should smell! 

We shouldn't be neutral or commonplace. 

We should stand out. 

So, what is the 'aroma of Christ?'

The passage says it's the, 'knowledge of him'. 

Of who? 

You guessed it -Jesus.

This speaks of knowledge, it's not just an idea, an opinion, a faint hope, it's KNOWLEDGE! 

To gain knowledge, you need to read up on the facts. You need to be informed and active. Acquiring knowledge requires motivation and work. We have to apply ourselves, study the word, spend time with Jesus,  that's how we gain knowledge. 

THEN we will smell. 

We will walk life with the fragrance of Christ hanging off of us and people will notice. 

We will not please everyone but we will be spreading the smell of God! 

The power of testimony

John 4:39 and v42

'Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony'

'They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”'

The woman in this passage gave, 'testimony' . First of all, what is testimony? It is - a formal declaration or statement of an event, evidence or proof of something. 

So, the woman declared what she had seen and heard of Jesus. She gave evidence to what she had heard. She told people what she had witnessed and heard from Jesus. 

The result?

The were intrigued. The people went to see for themselves. They heard His words, and realised that he is indeed, 'the Savior of the world.'

Jesus demonstrated who He is to this woman, she understood who He is, and saw how he knew her life. Then, she told others about him. She recognised who He was, because He knew her. 

There is power in testimony. 

If someone close to you tries out a new cleaning product and tells you how wonderful it is, you're probably more likely to try it out than by watching the most exciting new advert with a catchy jingle. 

Personal testimony is effective, and what this woman by the well, and what I am talking about, is much more effective than the worlds most powerful cleaning product! So, we better get talking about it!

It's not just about telling people the mind-boggling miracles that occur, but by sharing God's faithfulness in the everyday things. This lady from this passage, what did she really have to tell? She didn't see any mountains move, she wasn't healed of any disease or see any miraculous event at that time. She simply saw that Jesus knew her. Really, her testimony was pretty simple. She listened to Jesus and discovered that He knew her, He knew her life. 

Then she began to believe what he was saying about himself. 

This must of been the message she gave to others, not a mind blowing transformation or miraculous event, but the fact that she'd met Jesus, and He knew her. 

This is a message we all can bring to other people.

We can tell them the simple, seemingly small things that Jesus has done in our lives. That's what testimony is. We can share about how God has been there, shown us things, known us, and still wants to know us! We can let our friends know that we had peace in financial difficulty, we can share how our kids have overcome some things because Jesus has been their friend. How we have got the: house, family, job, education, friends, holiday we have. That we have become more: patient, loving, generous, kind because we pray. Don't underestimate the power of your testimony in the everyday matters. 

This lady shared that Jesus knew her. 

The people, were intrigued. They came to see what she was going on about, and they, for themselves, discovered who Jesus is. 

Her testimony was a part of her community's journey to faith. 

Your testimony is a part of someone else's journey in faith.