Life. Sometimes I wonder if we really understand what living and life really is.
Let me take a moment and let's travel dusty roads to look back over the paths Jesus walked and the life giving He demonstrated and lived.
As He broke bread and told us to remember this - He gave thanks; all while knowing what He was about to walk through.
He gave thanks before breaking the bread and then it was passed to over 5,000 hungry people.
The kernel of wheat must die before giving birth to more kernels.
Jesus died, giving His life so that we may have life. These are just a few...
Really. Paradoxical to my way of thinking. This is not the way I picture life coming and being given. But it is the way of Jesus; upside down to we humans who strive after perfect as we were created to be in the beginning. We plant, not even thinking of the seed that needs to die to produce the flowers and veggies we look forward to enjoying.
Lazarus laid in the grave for four days. He was stinking by now and bound. His sisters, Marry and Martha were grieving, after all they sent a message to Jesus to come and the road was empty of the visible presence of Jesus as Lazarus took his last breath.
As Martha met Jesus when He came, her words held the question, the wondering, the disappointment. The words that followed also held her hope and belief in who Jesus is.
Jesus spoke to her that He is the Resurrection and the Life and she responded with, "Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." John 11:27 (italics added)
Jesus paused at the tomb of Lazarus after he laid there for four days and lifted His eyes toward His Father, and gave thanks. He gave thanks that He hears. But first the instructions Jesus gave were to remove the stone and Martha who had just declared to believe Jesus; struggled to understand, declaring that by now there will be a stench!
Jesus reminds her, "Did I not say - to you - if you believe you will see the glory of God?" As Jesus paused, He looked up and gave thanks. He gives thanks knowing that His Father hears. He gave thanks because of what God would do for the benefit of the people. He wanted them to really know who He is and we learn that through the experience.
God hears our cries - right at the entrance of our graves.
Broken pieces. Brokenness given to Jesus gives way to the birthing of life; deep within our souls and that's what matters the most. It's the fullest healing and sometimes it simply doesn't look like we thought it would.
And that remains a mystery, but one I'm learning to lean into when the next hard comes. I may be like Martha and still say something practical like 'there will be a stench'; but I'm learning to trust the Giver of Life and the One who gave His life with thanks so that I may have eternal life; the fullness of life.
And so, I stop, look up and give thanks. Thanks giving is thanks living.
Maybe for you, this season of thanksgiving is brutal. Maybe life simply doesn't make sense and the road to your house remains 'empty' of the presence of Jesus. Let's just sit 'together' for a moment and let's remember - He is here. Jesus knew about Mary and Martha and Lazarus' last breath. He hasn't forgotten you and like Jesus said, " Let us go..." He will come and He does come. In your pain He just may not be visible. That is okay - but I breathe a prayer that you may rise with faith like Martha did; choosing to still believe and some day, give thanks for who He is.
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