Is There a Divine Opportunity in Your Life today?

March 30, 2023

Is There A Divine Opportunity in Your Life Today?

Is There a Divine Opportunity in Your Life today?

By Brooke Holt

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’” John 11:38-40

Four days Lazarus had been in the tomb. These four days marked just enough time to confirm he was truly dead as the Jewish people believed a person’s spirit departed from the body after three days. Jesus continues to mourn with Martha, Mary, and the family/friends of Lazarus. Then Jesus commands them to do what nobody expected him to do. He tells them, “Take away the stone” (John 11:38).

Good ole’ practical Martha responds to Jesus’ command with the reminder that dead bodies decompose by the fourth day. Jesus is focused on life while Martha is focused on death. So Jesus will reorient Martha: “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Jesus is reminding Martha of his words, reminding her of the hope and power that abide in him. Just as he previously told his disciples, Lazarus’ illness would not lead to death but to the glory of God (John 11:4).

Jesus did not work according to Martha and Mary’s timing or way, but Jesus will work in his miraculous way and perfect timing. It would have been easier for Jesus to come directly to Bethany and heal Lazarus from his infirmity, but Jesus chose to do what seemed to be impossible – bring a dead man back to life. Which do you think would more enhance the faith of Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and those gathered in Bethany that day – healing from the illness or restoring life to a dead and buried body?

Though Jesus was deeply grieved alongside those who loved Lazarus, he remained completely in tune with the will of his Father - not the easy route but one that aligned with the plan and purpose of his Father and displayed God’s glory.

Where is the focus in your life – the easy, pain-free, wrinkle-free life or the will of the Father? No one would choose pain, loss, or discomfort; however, these challenging situations provide the greatest opportunity to experience the breakthrough of God’s glory. May you have eyes to see opportunities for God to reveal his glory in your life and circumstances!

Reflection:

Is today the day that you can look beyond the circumstances and see God’s glory? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resources:

Could you use some hope right now? Join Peter’s first audience—“elect exiles” undergoing persecution—and experience the apostle’s powerful call to follow Jesus in the midst of life’s challenges, knowing your Living Hope is not a distant one, but a daily, glorious, life-giving reality! This unique six-week small group Bible study, A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter, helps you uncover the priceless promises written specifically to the struggling and the hurting, with pastoral gentleness and bold confidence for the future. This study of 1 Peter will help you become utterly convinced that Jesus is the only sure, true, incorruptible, and permanent hope for you.