Continuing with Part II of "The Resurrection of Lazarus-The Church of Today".Our main scripture text is found in John 11:1-14 and let us pick up where we left on at that is with verse 7.
Verse 7: Then after that saith He to his disciples, let us go into Judea again.
I will be focusing on specific words in these verses so we can have a better understanding of what He is saying to His church. So what is He saying to us in verse 7?
Let's first look at the word "disciples" and what it represents to us.
If we go to Ungers bible dictionary it says that: A disciple is one that takes instruction, is a student, believer of the one he follows, a supporter, one who is open to be taught, a devotee and tries to act like the one they follow.
When we read scripture we find that Jesus's disciples didn't really understand who He was nor did they realize the importance of their call to be disciples. They couldn't look beyond the now circumstances to see that Jesus had destiny and a purpose for their lives. It wasn't until Jesus's death, burial and His resurrection did they realize that he was who He said He was. Some of the disciples denied Him, some were fearful of man and what man would do to them if they claimed to be His disciples. Some walked in unbelief that He actually rose from the grave and that He had appeared to some of the other disciples.
This is the mind set of some of His disciples even today within the church. We really don't believe that we as disciples can go and do the works that He did. We know who Jesus is, but do we really know Him intimately? Are we really willing to follow Him no matter what happens in our lives? We want to keep Him in our box and we think we have Him all figured out, but do we really understand Him and His resurrection power. Beloved, we are the church and Jesus has called us to not only follow Him, but to go forth and be a disciple that brings in the harvest and to reproduce ourselves as Christ did. It's called multiplication!
The last part of verse 7 says: Let us go into Judea.
Another aspect of being a disciple of Jesus is allowing Him to take you into the "wilderness of preparation and testings".
Ungers bible dictionary says that: Judea was known to be a wilderness, barren and an unsuitable area for the growth of a city.
Judea was also the wilderness were John the Baptist went in preparation for his mission and ministry and where the Jesus was tested by satin and where he fasted for 40 days.
Are you willing to go into Judea with Jesus? The other question is: are you willing to go "again" into the wilderness of preparation, testings and are you willing to confront some areas that will be exposed while in this season?
Verse 8: His disciples say unto Him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again?
Verse 9: Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
If we are truly walking in the day; then we are walking in the truth of God's word. We are moving forward and ready to go the distance, because we see that it is time for action, we are not to stand back and wait for another day, another time or season. We are to work the works of Him who sends us while it is day. We are to progress, grow and step into the light of day that brings revelation, truth and understanding. And if we walk in the light (Jesus and His word) our path will become clearer and the road to destiny and purpose will be illuminated with life and resurrected power.
Verse 10: But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
When we walk in the night(a lack of God word, His truth); then we walk in ignorance and we lack understanding. Our walk is unsteady, we become vulnerable to the enemy and we walk in the shadows of confusion and fear. We become blinded by the night and our future becomes dimmed by the darkness of night and we lose hope.
Beloved, He is calling you to step out of complacency....step out of the night of slumber and from your yesterday and into the light of your today..... walk in the light of life because in Him is life and our life is the light that is within us.....shine the light of Jesus into those dark places of your life and let that light bring resurrection power into your life. He is the light and where He is; darkness has to flee. Step into the light of the truth of the gospel! How are we going to make it in the night seasons of our lives if we don't know the truth that leads us into the path of light and into our tomorrow? Walk in newness of life and let the old thing pass away.
Next week part III
Blessings,
Elma Garlock
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