The sovereignty of God opposes unbelief!

Hello to All:

As we begin our search for the truth of why: "Jesus wept" - we look, first, to a portion of verse 4, of John chapter 11, where we find written: "...This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

We often view sickness and death with an almost fatalistic perspective; and when I say, we, I am referrring to those of us who call ourselves "Christian." It is true, that in one place (Hebrews 9:27), it is written: "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment;" and for all of humanity, this is a reality; and yet, our text quotes Jesus as saying: "This sickness is not unto death." For the Lord our God, death is not the end of all things. His "judgement" brings victory over death - if we will just believe; and here I speak of the eternal life, that God promises to all who call on Jesus Christ. It is written (John 3:16): "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Do you believe?

In the case of Lazarus, something wonderful and outside the normal was going to happen. God's sovereign judgment was that: the sickness of Lazarus - "is not unto death." Let me make a statement here, with a God inspired clarity: A sovereign God does not, repeat, does not come to weep with us in the midst of our calamity; He comes to bring victory! The question before us, then, is: do we believe? It is a commonly held belief that "Jesus wept," because of His humanity. His human nature caused Him to enter into the grief of all those gathered; and He wept with them because He understands our suffering.

Let us, examine this belief, in the light of our own humanity. Consider these circumstances: If your house is burning - will you be comforted, if the fireman comes only to weep with you? If something you value, is being stolen - will you be comforted, if the policeman comes only to weep with you? If someone in your family, becomes seriously injured - will you be comforted, if the paramedics come only to weep with you? Let us return to your burning house and the news that one of your family members is trapped in the house - will you be comforted, if the rescuers come only to weep with you? The answer, of course, to all of these questions is a resounding: NO! We expect, and rightfully so, that these responders will make every effort, humanly possible, to bring us victory, in the midst of our calamity. If we have this expectation, with regards to firemen, policemen and paramedics; why then, do we seem to expect so much less from God?

In a portion of verse 15, of John chapter 11, we find these words, of our Lord Jesus Christ: "...to the intent ye may believe..." A sovereign God, acts by "intent." A sovereign God brings glory to Himself and to His Son. He brings glory because His "intent"and His actions are always holy and always righteous. Thus, since God's sovereign intention is that we believe; the question then, that our Lord Jesus Christ, moment by moment, sets before us, is this: Do you believe?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus