"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22
"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22

APRIL 20th
LIFE OR DEATH
CONDITIONS FOR A DEATH-DENYING MIRACLE (Continued)

 

Reading:  John 11:18-34 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat [still] in the house.
11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had
not died.
11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee.
11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
11:29 As soon as she heard [that], she arose quickly, and came unto him.
11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.


      Let us reflect earnestly on the two types of ministry that directly affect the conditions of this miracle.  Martha, or cumbered ministry, goes to meet Jesus.  While she begins to proclaim truths concerning Him, her knowledge of Him is not guided by understanding.  When that happens, it means simply a lack of revelation of Whom Jesus really is.  For example, today in many ministries, there are a lot of truths rehearsed about and unto the Lord; however, there is no spiritual understanding of what those truths mean.  Martha even demonstrates her faith.  The fact of the matter is that real faith toward God is executed from a position of rest in Him.  It proceeds from peace instead of anxiety.  Mary, the ministry that actually touched the Lord, remained still in the house.

 

      Mary, or ministry that touches the Lord, did not move until she received word that He called her.  What a profound revelation if ministry everywhere responded only when called upon by the Lord.  Not only did she move at His call, but she moved quickly.  By moving quickly at the call of God, we deny the adversary of any chance of talking us out of our purpose.  Notice that Jesus remained in the place where Martha met Him. 

 

Continued

Print | Sitemap
© Restoration Christian Ministries Center