John 11:39 Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
Are we ever afraid to go to a place where we’ve been hurt or disappointed with Jesus? Have you sealed that event or problem up like this cave was sealed with a stone? We’re afraid to roll back the stone. It protects us from something that we think is dead and stinks. We can’t see any benefit to letting Him have access to it. We’ve buried it and don’t want to suffer more. Jesus could have spoken and moved that stone, and He could do the same with the stone we’ve placed to protect ourselves. But, He tells us to remove the stone just like He told them to remove the stone. To remove the stone is to give Jesus access to the dead thing in our lives that needs to be resurrected for the glory of God. Is Jesus telling us to remove the stone and give Him access to something that has been decaying and stinking in our lives?
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John 11:39 Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
Are we ever afraid to go to a place where we’ve been hurt or disappointed with Jesus? Have you sealed that event or problem up like this cave was sealed with a stone? We’re afraid to roll back the stone. It protects us from something that we think is dead and stinks. We can’t see any benefit to letting Him have access to it. We’ve buried it and don’t want to suffer more. Jesus could have spoken and moved that stone, and He could do the same with the stone we’ve placed to protect ourselves. But, He tells us to remove the stone just like He told them to remove the stone. To remove the stone is to give Jesus access to the dead thing in our lives that needs to be resurrected for the glory of God. Is Jesus telling us to remove the stone and give Him access to something that has been decaying and stinking in our lives?
John 10:25. Jesus answered them when they asked Him, "If you're the Christ, tell us plainly," "I told you, and you do not believe the works that I do in my Father's name. These testify of Me."
What do these works testify of regarding Jesus? Just to name a few, the miracles testify that God is with Him. They tell us that Jesus's passion is for the name of His Father. They tell us that Jesus is the Christ, God in a body like ours. These testify that Jesus's words are true. As people hear, listen, and follow Him, it testifies that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
Those who live to love with Jesus should say the same. We should say, "The works that I do, I do in the name of Jesus Christ. These testify of me that I'm a child of God and that Jesus lives in me." Jesus taught this in John 14:12-14. Let's think about this today: Are all of my works bringing glory to the name of Jesus? Do they accurately testify of who He is, and who I am as His disciple?
Live to Love Scripture Encouragement
John 11:39 Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
Are we ever afraid to go to a place where we’ve been hurt or disappointed with Jesus? Have you sealed that event or problem up like this cave was sealed with a stone? We’re afraid to roll back the stone. It protects us from something that we think is dead and stinks. We can’t see any benefit to letting Him have access to it. We’ve buried it and don’t want to suffer more. Jesus could have spoken and moved that stone, and He could do the same with the stone we’ve placed to protect ourselves. But, He tells us to remove the stone just like He told them to remove the stone. To remove the stone is to give Jesus access to the dead thing in our lives that needs to be resurrected for the glory of God. Is Jesus telling us to remove the stone and give Him access to something that has been decaying and stinking in our lives?
