A Day of New Beginnings. Part [8] 01/08/2024 (Evening thought)

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Therefore, when Jesus said to the man who had the infirmity for thirty-eight years “Take up thy bed and walk”, that instruction is to be interpreted as being pertinent to the you and me in the here and now, in whatsoever predicament we may find ourselves. In other words, the correct perspectives on the use of miraculous power by God, inevitably, will include us doing the very best that we can do, and leaving no stone unturned, wherever applicable.

The Lord helps those who help themselves, as well as persons who cannot help themselves, but if we can, we must. This leads us to our third takeaway in the narrative: [3] After Jesus heals persons, they should be found at church. The purpose of God in healing any person, is never only to heal the body, but rather to heal both soul, and body. Salvation is a holistic work which involves the entire person, and therefore, a healthy sinner is no more good to God than an atheist who may have infirmities.

In fact, a very sick saint is of far more value in God’s sight than a healthy rebellious individual who wants nothing to do with God, and for this reason, every time God engages His miraculous power to heal the body, the end purpose thereof is always to heal the soul, if or wherever such healing may be warranted.

1st Thessalonians 5:1 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

A Day of New Beginnings. Part [7] 01/07/2024 (Morning thought)

John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

[The Desire of Ages pp 535] “Take ye away the stone.” Christ could have commanded the stone to remove, and it would have obeyed His voice. He could have bidden the angels who were close by His side to do this. At His bidding, invisible hands would have removed the stone. But it was to be taken away by human hands. Thus, Christ would show that humanity is to co-operate with divinity. What human power can do divine power is not summoned to do.

God does not dispense with man's aid. He strengthens him, co-operating with him as he uses the powers and capabilities given him. There is a stir in the silent tomb, and he who was dead stands at the door of the sepulcher. His movements are impeded by the graveclothes in which he was laid away, and Christ says to the astonished spectators, “Loose him, and let him go.” Again they are shown that the human worker is to co-operate with God. Humanity is to work for humanity.

Here it is again, because Christ’s miracle could have included setting the captive free from the shackles with which he was bound. But the human agents in the narrative could do this, and therefore, miracles are only engaged where absolutely needed. This is something that the human agent must never ever lose sight of.

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!