4/10 Grammy Blick's Bible Reading

Past, present and future: Aware of all three, pay close attention to one

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:21-26 KJV)

Martha looked to the past "... if thou hadst been here ..." with the utmost confidence that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying. This had been the experience of many people -- Christ cured them, and sent them home to their loved ones.

Martha also looked to the future "... I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." She believed, as we believe, in the resurrection, though she had not yet experienced the resurrection of our Lord. We, on the other day, have heard of His death, burial and resurrection. Yet, is our faith any stronger?

Martha's only awareness of the present was a great sense of loss. Her beloved brother was not there. Even as Jesus stood before her, her thoughts wavered between the past and the future.
Jesus brought her back to the present in verse 26: "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" Even her confirming answer in verse 27 "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world," looked TO His coming, not AT His coming.

Mary, too, looked to the past in verse 32: "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

Why did Jesus weep? That's one of those things I look forward to learning. And, when He said, in verse 42, "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me," openly confirming to all who could hear Him that He gave all glory to God, the Father, we're back to the third, but forgotten, time frame.

The present had been ignored by both Martha and Mary. Jesus was right there in front of them, in the present. They had just affirmed He was the Christ. They had just spoken of future resurrection. They were grateful for the past, hoped for the future -- but ignored His power in the present.

So, my goal is to keep Jesus with me in the present. To be aware of His power displayed in the past; aware of my faith in Him for the future -- but not to neglect him for now, for the present.

Walk with us a way. Know that He has plans for us today. Know that He has proven He is the resurrection and the life, and that He offers this to all. Come, walk with us for a way.