My Lazarus Lessons (Part One)

God takes us to the edge of our faith to teach us precious truths that go beyond our mortal understanding.  Looking over the edge or into the dark can be scary. But I am beginning to understand that when we choose not to focus on what we cannot do or do not understand, but instead choose to focus on Christ’s perfection, we are given precious knowledge that helps us grow into the being He knows we may become.

I have found that as I study Christ, His teachings and His life, my faith in Him has grown.  I love thinking about His interactions with others and placing myself in their shoes to learn how He loves and understands me personally and perfectly.  I often find that I come to know and feel the deep love the Lord has for me (and others) in my extremities– when I’m experiencing something that feels it is beyond my control.  

A little while back, I was pondering and reading in the bible (John 11) the story of Mary, Martha, and their beloved brother Lazarus during a time of extremity for them (below is a beautiful enactment of this bible story).  

 

 

I am sure some extreme emotions of confusion, sadness, doubt, and pain occurred at the time of Lazarus’ death.

Christ had not come immediately upon hearing of his friend’s death, but waited four days.  “By this time he stinketh” (v.39) and would have officially been declared dead.

Amidst the confusion and sorrow of those involved in this story, Christ, in His perfect understanding, spoke to His disciples: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the son might be glorified thereby” (v.4) and later stated, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe, nevertheless, let us go unto Him.” (v.15)

I sense the tender feelings of the Savior when I read this account.  “Jesus loved” (v.5) these devoted and faithful sisters and knew this would be a deep and meaningful teaching experience which would prepare them for things to come.  But they doubted and sorrowed and wondered why He hadn’t been there, for if He had, their brother “would not have died.” (v.32)

I find myself in this account, realizing that I often respond to my circumstances the same exact way these devoted disciples did.  Life can be difficult, and although I haven’t lost a brother, I have questioned at times why the Lord hasn’t come sooner to provide the needed relief or to deliver me (or another) from a heart-wrenching experience.  

Author Camille Fronk Olsen shared in her book Women in the New Testament, “By delaying His return, Jesus led Mary and Martha to the edge of their faith.  That is the place where He can teach us most of all.”

Time and time again, the Spirit has tapped on my heart and whispered to me, reminding me that those experiences which cause me to walk to the edge of my faith (and maybe even take a few steps into the dark) are “to the intent that [I] may believe.”

God takes us to the edge of our faith to teach us precious truths that go beyond our mortal understanding.  Looking over the edge or into the dark can be scary. But I am beginning to understand that when we choose not to focus on what we cannot do or do not understand, but instead choose to focus on Christ’s perfection, we are given precious knowledge that helps us grow into the being He knows we may become.  I know that God does “all this, that [we] may know that He [is] God” (Ether 3:18).

 

I invite you to ponder and even record a time the Lord has lead you to the edge of your faith.  What are some precious truths He has taught you here?

 

(Check back for part II tomorrow.)

 

Edited by: Dani Davis

Bible Video from lds.org

Photo from Unsplash.com by Heiswayi Nrird