“But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’”(John 11:37 ESV).
We all believe that Jesus has the power to heal. We all believe that while He physically walked this earth, He did heal. This is not in dispute in any of the Christian denominations.
Some believe, and I am one of them, that Jesus still heals people today.
This is where things get a little messy. Some believe that God is no longer in the healing business. Others believe that God will heal, but only when it is His will. Still others believe that if they have enough faith, God will heal them. Always.
The truth of the matter is that God does still heal. I’ve seen it with my own eyes; and I have experienced it firsthand. Some doubt the validity of this statement, but no one can deny that God doesn’t always heal.
Yesterday we discussed the man who was born blind, and who was healed by Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that the man was blind so that God’s works could be displayed. In the story of Lazarus, we see this principle still in effect.
When Jesus had heard that Lazarus was sick, He knew that he was going to die; yet He didn’t move toward his town until Lazarus was dead. The question that was asked, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”, is a valid one. And if I’m being honest, there was a period of time when I struggled with this one.
I don’t think it cruel that Lazarus died; he was resurrected! That’s a story that he will never get tired of telling. But I had a problem with the fact that Mary and Martha had to experience the anguish of losing a loved one. That is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone, though we all will experience it.
But as I wrote yesterday’s post, I couldn’t help but see a parallel to the man born blind. But in this case, there were three who endured suffering that God might display His power and receive glory. God on display!
God doesn’t usually give us a “heads up” about every thing that He is going to do. Further, we don’t always get to know why we go through certain things in our lives or see the end result of our suffering. But here’s the thing: when we give our lives to Christ, we give our lives to Christ! They are no longer our own! And God is free to do with them as He sees best.
“Well, that’s not why I gave my life to Christ; I didn’t sign up for that!” Then, I’m sorry. You NEVER gave your life to Christ. Jesus isn’t a feel-good pill that you can take on Sundays for a hopeful by-and-by. If He’s not your Lord, then you’ve missed the point. Make no mistake about it, I’m preaching to myself here as well.
We need to be reminded from time that we here to bring Him glory, not the other way around. “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example o those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Like Lazarus, and the man born blind, and any number of others along the way, we are here to put God on display!
Skipping Stones 
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