Hello Advent Family,

I often wonder what it must have been like to be one of the twelve disciples.  As we read the gospels we have the benefit of knowing the rest of the story.  They were just along for the ride.  The walking on water the feeding of 5000 water to wing multiple healings. Even raising his friend Lazarus from the dead.  Today I’d like to look at that story.  Let’s look at it from the perspective of a disciple who has no idea what will happen.  

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

I wonder what they thought when Jesus heard that his good friend was sick and then stayed around a few more days before He left to do anything about it.  Look at verse 6 carefully.  Jesus waits intentionally.  He isn’t too busy to come He waits on purpose.  Then He tells the disciples that they are traveling to where people tried to stone Him recently.  I’m sure this must have frightened them so Jesus simply responds with a mysterious statement about walking in the light as opposed to walking in the darkness.  You see that’s the thing, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.  He knew if He waited that Lazarus would be dead and He would raise Him from the dead.  He knew this would be the last straw and the religious leaders would be determined to kill Him after that.  He knew His next move would be to ride into Jerusalem like a conquering King.  Jesus always knows the plan and path to what is best for us.  We simply need to be like the disciples and follow along for the ride!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave