![]() Then give the batteries to your child(ren) and talk about the power they bring to the flashlight because of the power stored in them. Turn out all the lights and talk about how useful this flashlight would be if it was dark and there was no power. Ask your child to turn the flashlight on. Take the batteries out of the flashlight (make sure they are fully charged). The best way to illustrate this is to take something that needs batteries to operate such as a flashlight. Tapping into God’s power is something we need to do every day. He wept because He longed to relieve the distress of souls throughout the ages who would weep and mourn because of what sin has caused.įor a full reading, see The Desire of Ages, pp.He saw the effects of sin upon the history of the world beginning with Abel and going down through history. Jesus carried the weight of grief for the world upon Him.He saw the future destruction of Jerusalem and some of those standing at the tomb would die as a result and in their death, there was no hope.He wept for those who would forever be lost because they chose not to believe in Him.His tears were from a human heart that is sympathetic to those who mourn.This was not a selfish motivation, but in sorrow that He had so much to offer, yet hearts were not open to receive Him or understand His relationship to them. He wept because no one recognized that He had the power to raise Lazarus.These same individuals would soon be planning the death of Jesus as well as Lazarus. He recognized that some of those weeping alongside Mary and Martha were not manifesting genuine sorrow.There was no reason to weep for someone who would be alive very soon. Lazarus was dead and had been for several days. He had purposely stayed away long enough so that no one could question this resurrection. But remember Jesus knew He was going to resurrect Lazarus. Let’s not forget to tap into His Power today and be renewed.Īs we read this story it would be natural as we read the shortest Bible verse, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) to believe that Jesus is weeping for the loss of Lazarus. We also need to be reminded that Jesus is with us-full power, full authority, and fully willing to be an integral part of our lives. They bounce, trudge, plod, or race through life not realizing that Jesus is readily available to lift their burdens and ease their pain. There are those around us living life similarly. She had walked and danced all the way to Oz in slippers that could have taken her home, but she didn’t realize it until someone told her. ![]() ![]() Here was the Creator and Authority of Heaven-complete and absolute power in the midst-but they didn’t recognize Him.ĭorothy had to be told about the slippers. Yet here was the Creator and Authority of Heaven-complete and absolute power in their midst-but they didn’t recognize Him. If they didn’t believe that, surely they could remember Elijah and Elisha, both who raised someone from the dead. Jesus had previously raised two people from the dead, both times with disciples as witnesses. Not only did no one ask, but Martha even interfered (John 11:39). Jesus cried too, but not for the same reason (read Digging Deeper).Īmazingly, it occurred to no one-not the mourners, the family, or the disciples-to ask Jesus to resurrect Lazarus. With Mary came an entire entourage of mourners, both genuine and professional, who wept and wailed for the loss of Lazarus. Jesus waited outside Bethany, where first Martha, and then Mary came to see Him. Perhaps those in the story of Lazarus might have benefited from a similar idea-not a psychological perspective, but a spiritual one. Some have created an entire transformational psychology from this notion of the ruby slippers-the idea that we always have the power to do whatever we need to do. It was then she was told that she could always go home the power was with her all along all she needed to do was to tap the heels of her ruby slippers three times.Īll she needed to do was to tap the heels of her ruby slippers three times. They arrived in Oz, discovered the wizard and while he was able to supply the needs of her traveling companions, he could do nothing for Dorothy, whose only desire was to be sent home. Dorothy wore ruby slippers that mysteriously found their way to her feet. She joins three other friends and they go on an adventure in search of a wizard who apparently will supply whatever they are lacking. It tells the story of Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl, who was swept by a tornado into a new and different land. Most have heard of The Wizard of Oz, either the book or the movie. ![]() To receive this weekly devotional and other content for your spiritual renewal, subscribe to our new Renew Newsletter.įurther Study: John 11:1-44 The Desire of Ages, pp. ![]()
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