Gods Sabbath

T HE R ESURRECTION OF L AZARUS

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Positive evidence of their devotion to God’s ways is given in the prayer that Mary and Martha addressed to Jesus as soon as they saw the severity of the disease which afflicted their broth er. They simply sent the message, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” John 11:3. This was a true Christian prayer which simply gave the prob lem to the Lord and left Him to apply whatever solution He might choose. There was no calling upon God to follow a human plan or solution. The two sisters had entered into Sabbath rest sufficiently to understand the difference between God’s part and theirs, and they were determined not to usurp His position. It is no wonder that the Saviour found such sweet fellowship in that home and loved to visit there as often as He could. With what profound joy and satisfaction must Christ have re ceived the words of that simple, Christian prayer. It told Him that there would be no difficulty in achieving God’s purpose, for the submissive spirit of the sisters assured this. God can only ac complish His designs when His chosen servants carry out His plans exactly as He has formed them. As Christ witnessed this trusting spirit, He was therefore able to respond by declaring that it would be to the glory of God. “When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glo rified through it.’” John 11:4 (NKJV). It would have been natural for the sisters to interpret the words “this sickness is not unto death” to mean that Lazarus would not die. Christ’s statement added the promise of His word to the promises of His love and power they already had. This filled them with the confidence that He would promptly do what ever was needed. Although making no plans for the Saviour, they would naturally have expected Him to come immediately with His healing might. Yet, despite the strong assurances that these promises gave them, Lazarus died. This sad event tested and proved their devo tion to the Sabbath rest principles they had learned from Jesus. ASpecial Family