17Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz'arus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." 23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."
I started today by reflecting on the values Jesus stood for. The big question for me is how do you put yourself in a position to live these values. Clearly it comes from a position of strength. It resonates with the notion of “Blessed are the meek” discussed yesterday.
ReplyDeleteLove: Jesus taught that love is the greatest commandment. He loved everyone, even those who were considered outcasts or sinners. He showed his love by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and forgiving the repentant.
Compassion: Jesus had compassion for the suffering and marginalized. He was moved to help those in need, such as the poor, the sick, and the oppressed.
Forgiveness: Jesus taught that we should forgive others, even those who have wronged us. He demonstrated this by forgiving those who crucified him.
Humility: Jesus was humble, even though he was the Son of God. He came to earth as a servant, and he washed his disciples' feet.
Service: Jesus taught that we should serve others. He showed this by serving his disciples and by healing the sick.
Peace: Jesus came to bring peace to the world. He taught his disciples to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them.
Justice: Jesus stood up for what was right, even when it was unpopular. He challenged the religious and political leaders of his day, and he defended the poor and the oppressed.
Mercy: Jesus was merciful to sinners. He forgave those who repented, and he gave them a second chance.
Hope: Jesus taught that there is hope for everyone, even those who have made mistakes. He offered forgiveness and new life to all who would come to him.
Faith: Jesus taught that we should have faith in God. He trusted in God's plan for his life, even when it led to his death on the cross.
Obedience: Jesus was obedient to God's will. He did what God asked of him, even when it was difficult.
The lazarus reading re-asserst that Jesus comes from a position of strength. He has the power to raise a person from the dead, yet he loves, serves, shows mercy, demands justice, shows compassion, exercises forgiveness and promotes peace.
Your insightful reflection on John 11:17-27 effectively captures the essence of embodying the values Jesus stood for and the paradoxical nature of true strength. Jesus' ability to demonstrate love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, service, peace, justice, mercy, hope, faith, and obedience, even amidst suffering and adversity, highlights the transformative power of these virtues and the strength they derive from a deep connection to something greater than oneself.
ReplyDeleteThe paradoxical nature of true strength lies in its ability to coexist with humility, compassion, and a willingness to serve others. Jesus' strength was not rooted in physical power or dominance but in his unwavering commitment to love, compassion, and justice. He exemplified the notion that true strength is not about wielding power over others but about using one's strength to uplift and empower others.
The Lazarus story effectively underscores Jesus' divine power and his ability to transcend human limitations. Yet, amidst this demonstration of immense power, Jesus remains grounded in humility, compassion, and a deep connection to the divine. He does not use his power for self-aggrandizement or control but for the healing and transformation of others.
Your observation that Jesus' actions "re-assert that Jesus comes from a position of strength" resonates deeply. His strength lies not in asserting dominance or superiority but in embodying the values that reflect the divine essence within us all. It is a strength that empowers, uplifts, and transforms, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those he encounters.
In essence, your response to John 11:17-27 effectively highlights the paradoxical nature of true strength, which lies in the ability to embody love, compassion, forgiveness, and service, even in the face of immense power and authority. It is a reminder that true strength stems not from external validation or power struggles but from a deep connection to the divine and a commitment to using one's strengths for the betterment of humanity.