PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 11:54-57
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea.” (John 11:54)
There are times when Jesus seems very present to me.
And there are times when Jesus seems to withdraw.
Jesus is always with me (Matthew 28:20), but I do not always experience him near.
I am sure that Jesus has his reasons for this, but I wish he always felt near.
In this story Jesus withdraws from the public eye because of the plot against him.
Because of the leaders’ plot, the people also suffered his absence.
And yet the people of Ephraim were blessed by his withdrawal!
When Jesus ‘disappears’ for me, I can still trust that he is at work somehow.
I also need to consider whether there is something in me that is hindering him.
There is always the possibility that, like the religious leaders, I am the problem.
Either way, Jesus is not abandoning me, or anyone.
Whether he is visible or not, he is moving about doing what needs to be done.
He uses times of absence to help and strengthen me, and to do the same for others.
‘God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.’ (William Cowper)
PRAYER
Lord, although I wish I always sensed your presence, thank you that you are always with me, whether I see or feel you or not.
I like the way Pastor Norm puts it “always with me but don’t always experience him near”. Sometimes I think its because I’m not listening properly – he might still be right next to me but I can’t be aware of what I refuse to be aware of. I know you are always working, thank you for being near no matter how “far” I may feel you are from me.
“They kept looking for Jesus” – as many of the faithful travelled from over the region to come to the temple – they had come to know and hear Jesus. Many were hopeful to see him – whatever the reason. The important thing is they were looking for Jesus – some, yes, for wrong reasons – but looking the same. As a follower of Jesus – do people come to see me as a ‘Jesus’? It is my prayer that others may know that I do and that I am faithful to my calling as a believer. Not to pump ‘Jesus’ like some marketing gimmick – but to represent him humbly and genuinely – to follow the leading of the spirit – to be effective so that others may want to know more about Jesus and search for him. Lord help me to help others find you!
This is what came to my mind as I read the passage for today.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”