January 3, 2022 -- John 11:45-46 -- Shine!

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ Hear and obey Jesus!

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
John 11:45-46 ESV

What would it take for your neighbour to believe in Jesus? Would it take seeing someone rise from the dead? What would it take for your co-worker to believe in Jesus? Can you think of a miracle that would truly convince him so that he’d believe?

This morning’s passage is pretty sobering. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had been in the tomb four days—when He commanded the stone be rolled away so that He could raise Lazarus, one of the sisters of the dead man, not realizing what Jesus was about to do protested, saying the body will stink from decomposition. Jesus commanded. Lazarus rose. Many believed. Many did not believe.

What makes the difference between those who believe and those who do not believe? It is the call of God on their lives. Jesus had earlier declared: “No one can come to me unless the Father Who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). How do you know who has been appointed by the Father for life and who has not? You don’t know. Even so, you are commanded to live for Jesus. What you say will impact others. How you live will make others curious about Jesus. Your life is a bright and shining light for the glory of Jesus, and those people in your life who are aware their lives are storm-tossed and near the rocks of destruction, will see the light of Christ and be drawn to you.

Therefore, share the Good News with anyone who is interested. Be prepared for people to reject you, mock you, or even act against you, trying to undermine whatever good you want to bring to them or your workplace or your neighbourhood. We are living in a post-Christian age. The hunger for the things of God is as great as ever. Using whatever gifts or abilities God our Father has given you, shine for the glory of His great Name.

Jesus, when our children were little I taught them to sing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” and the goal was to teach them to spend their lives glowing brightly in thankfulness for all You have done for them. Spirit of God, as an adult, help me to continue to shine, and to do so without any sense of being self-conscious or worried about what others will say. Let the words of my mouth and actions of my life bring You praise and act as a beacon which will draw many to You, Faithful High King of Heaven. Amen.

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