Now that Commitment

John 11:7-16

“Let us go to Judea again.”

Has your business placed you in harms way?  I do not believe I was ever in danger, but my trip to the Middle East was way out of my comfort zone.  I recall getting off the plane in Saudi and they were not friendly at the airport, in fact they were rude and hostile to a person who was coming to be a help to some of their citizens.  As we flew to other countries in the Middle East, some were more friendly and one much worse, but my Division of 3M Company had sent me to be of help to our Subsidiaries in that part of the world; I was on assignment.  When Jesus told His disciples “Let us go to Judea again.” He also was on assignment; He was about His Father’s business.

My trip to the Middle East was well planned and I was meeting a man who I had worked with who was a Citizen of that area, and we had the same goal, to grow our brand and to acquire the business of some very large projects.  But Jesus had just come from Judea, it had been somewhat of a dangerous trip, and so we should not be surprised at the response from His disciples.  “The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”  (John 11:8)  It is important to see that Jesus’ followers were not open to a return trip to Judea.  In fact, it had become clear that they might opt out of this gig, why would Jesus want to return to an area where they were trying to kill Him?   And the answer is simple, John 3:16-18, God loves you so much that He put together a business plan for His Son that had your best as it’s goal.

When Jesus answered His disciple’s fears, it was not what they were looking for; this is the answer, “Are there not twelve hours in the day?  If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world.  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him.”  (John 11:9-10)  Do you recall the encounter with the woman caught in adultery, I’m sure the disciples that were with Jesus will never forget that day, and Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Did they recall those words at this time, I am not sure but it looks as if they did not, and guess what, most of the time we, like them, let fear keep us from hearing and acting on those words.

So in the next sentence Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”  (John 11:11)  But they once more missed what Jesus was saying so he spoke plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.  But let us go to him.”  (John 11:14-15)  Thomas, who many look down on as a doubter, was the one who set aside his fear and said, “Let us go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)  Now my dear reader that is commitment!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice