"Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, LORD, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick."
- John 11:3
We find it strange that Jesus had been an intimate friend of the family
and enjoyed their generous hospitality and how He freely gave of His
healing power to those who were in distress, does not speak the word
nor hurry to the bedside of His friend. He stays for two days where He
is and apparently does nothing about it.
Sickness is not a stranger in our age, which has at . . .
"Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, LORD, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick."
- John 11:3
We find it strange that Jesus had been an intimate friend of the family and enjoyed their generous hospitality and how He freely gave of His healing power to those who were in distress, does not speak the word nor hurry to the bedside of His friend. He stays for two days where He is and apparently does nothing about it.
Sickness is not a stranger in our age, which has at its disposal the best that medical research has been able to gather in the course of centuries. Some results from unwise living, some from specific sins which tend to undermine health, some from ignorance. But much of it cannot be traced to any known cause.
As a result, it still can be said of many a Christian, "He, she, whom Thou lovest is sick." That often means intense pain, fatigue, sleepless nights, inner conflicts. We pray to Him who has said, "Ask, and it shall be given you. But God seems to be off in the distance somewhere, unconcerned about our distress and our fervent pleas.
There was a very close connection between Jesus and the sickness of his friend Lazarus. Later developments proved that all was for the glory of God.
Christian friends, The love of God and our sickness still are not contradictory terms. He who gave His Son for us, who has destined us for eternal fellowship with Him in heaven, is carrying out plans of wisdom and love that reach into eternity.
O love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong;
It shall forevermore endure-
the saints' and angels' song.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - God loves His children not because of who they are, but because of who He is.