Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the NET, netbible.org, all rights reserved)

When Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness will not lead to death, but to God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Psalm 41:3 (emphasis added)

Jesus was sending a message. He didn’t say Lazarus wouldn’t die. He didn’t say Lazarus would die. What He did was give them a word that the situation they were in would result in Elohim getting glory. It was said in front of the messengers that brought the news of Lazarus’ illness to Jesus. And it was a message that Martha clung to (John 11:22). When Mary showed less trust in it, Jesus reminded her that He gave it to her for hope and trust (John 11:40). It is also a message that Jesus says to all of us. This sickness – whatever kind, whatever condition, whatever sphere it is found in – does not need to lead to death but can instead lead to the glory of Elohim. It is one of the benefits of the cross, and Jesus demonstrated it again and again. Why did we stop listening?

Adonai did not send this sickness to Lazarus. He did not cause it to come upon him. Adonai doesn’t deal in sickness. He doesn’t deal in death. Adonai is a God of LIFE (Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:27) and abundant life at that (John 10:10). Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead when He heard the messengers. Jesus was speaking forth His trust in the Father that this attack meant by the devil to wound and grieve would not end in death, but in the glorifying of the Father for His Mercy, Love, and Power. Jesus was in this statement (today’s verse) declaring firmly for all to hear (but especially Mary and Martha) that He was going to use His authority to reverse/counter this situation and turn it into something that would glorify Elohim. Jesus’ love of them motivated His staying in one place for days. Jesus’ love of them motivated His turning their temporary suffering into Joy (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“This sickness will NOT lead to death” (emphasis mine). The Greek word for death here is thanatos (than’-at-os), meaning physical or spiritual death, danger of death, fatal, pestilence, deadly, and separation from Adonai. The word for sickness refers to an ailment that deprives someone of enjoying or accomplishing what they would like to do. It expresses the weakening influences of the illness or a particular problem. It is weakness and frailty without strength. It even can mean want of the strength and capacity requisite to understand a thing AND the states in which this weakness manifests itself. The weakness that would prevent Lazarus from enjoying life here connected to Adonai will NOT lead to either spiritual or physical death OR separation from Adonai. THAT is something to glory about! And it covers a LOT of ground. What’s the word Jesus has spoken to YOU?

We’ve all begged Adonai. Wanting something so desperately that we hound and hound and hound sometimes from the bottom of our hearts. I’ve begged. On my knees screaming. My baby was dead. Horrible moments. Jesus didn’t take my baby. Neither did the Father. I screamed at them, but they also didn’t bring my baby back. Because they hadn’t taken her. They didn’t WANT her. They were there with me in that moment. Just as upset. Crying real tears. Heartbroken. Like me. Like my partner. Our families. We were ALL heartbroken. But none of us prayed for her to be raised. None of us considered calling down the Anointing. I don’t think any of us were even aware that we could. Jesus did it with Lazarus. He knew it was coming. He was praying and praising for FOUR days. He was praying and praising every step of the journey until He got right there to Lazarus’ tomb. Holding to the report the Father gave Him. The report He passed on. Thanking the Father for the anointing that was on Him. Ready to be where the Father wanted. Saying what the Father wanted Him to say. But the people around Him didn’t hold to that word. That hope. That strength. I think that is why He wept (John 11:35). For the quiet resolution of hope that was stolen from them by their grief.

WE have been given Jesus’ authority (Matthew 16:19). We are anointed with HIS anointing (1 John 2:20). We have the authority IN JESUS (John 15:5) to do whatever the Father wants done (Matthew 18:18-20). We can do just what Jesus did. EVERYTHING He did. We have been called to that (John 14:12-14). If it is in accordance with the Father’s will, in accordance with the Word, and we are being called to do it by Ruach HaKodesh who is showing us what to do and telling us what to say. If it is all those things, NOTHING can stop it (Philippians 2:9-11). When I lost my baby, I didn’t even think to ASK what His will was. I wasn’t Worded up (Proverbs 4:20-22). I wasn’t running on my best trust because I was fasted and prayed up (Matthew 17:20-21). I wasn’t listening to Ruach HaKodesh (Romans 8:6). I was rooted and wallowing in the fleshly grief that was flooding me. But I COULD have been in the boat with Jesus (Matthew 8:23-27).

“For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)” (Ephesians 6:13-17). My feet were not fitted with preparation. They were fitted with the panic that comes from rushing to the hospital. But we ALL know that we can go fast without being in a rush. We can move with PURPOSE. I was not doing that. Jesus was desperate to get me to, but I had NOT prepared myself. I was not ready. I was weak. I was focusing on the fact I was deprived, not on what I could have been calling down. And I was deprived because I hadn’t been spending the time needed to keep my eyes on Adonai.

Jesus didn’t run down to Bethany and call Lazarus back. It wouldn’t have worked. Jesus the Son of God, the Messiah, the Anointed to heal One and Only could NOT have done it. The Father hadn’t told Him to. The devil struck at this family Jesus was particularly close to (John 11:2-3 & 5). The Father said, ‘Oh, yeah? Son? You sit tight and this will glorify me seven times more than that devil thinks it was going to thwart us.’ Jesus ONLY did what He was shown by the Father and the Father showed Him to sit. Four days. THEN Jesus went down. Jesus hadn’t spent that time partying. He was praying. He was calling the Anointing down. He was calling the Anointing down to earth from heaven (Matthew 6:10). We can see this when Jesus approaches the tomb. “So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you that you have listened to me” (John 11:41). Up until this point, Jesus had not prayed a single prayer. Hadn’t uttered a single word toward His Father. He HAD groaned in His Spirit (John 11:33 &38). That could have been prayer. We know groanings can be prayer (Romans 8:26). But I really think that in addition to that Jesus was stirring Himself up and calling down the Anointing. So that He was charged up with the Will of the Father, knew EXACTLY what to do, and did just what He had been shown – with NO DOUBTS even when the smell hit Him (John 11:39). Jesus walked in the Peace of Elohim as a New Covenant believer – though the covenant would not be ratified until the cross – because He was totally righteous and filled with Ruach HaKodesh.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:12-17). EVERYTHING we do should glorify the Father. In Jesus, we are righteous, Because of Jesus, we can be filled with Ruach HaKodesh. In Jesus we are everything He is. We should be singing and praising all day long. We should be thinking about the Word – in big pieces OR small – all the day long. We should be praying and fasting. Rejoicing and praising. Relying on our trust in Adonai for everything. LISTENING, not just blathering at Him.

We CAN be ready. WE can confidently say, ‘this suffering will NOT end in death’. WE can confidently say, ‘This sickness – whatever kind, whatever condition, whatever sphere it is found in – will lead to the glory of my Father!’ We can shod our feet with PREPARATION so that when the moment arrives, we can speak our trust in confidence. Knowing that the words are His (Luke 12:11-12). Knowing that the picture inside us is from the Father (John 5:19). Knowing that we are equipped (Ephesians 6:10-18). Knowing that we are protected (Psalm 91). Submitted to Adonai, standing on the Word we study, and watching the tail end of the devil as he heads around the block (James 4:7). When we are ready we believe what Jesus believed: ALL things are possible WITH Adonai (Matthew 19:26).

Daily Affirmation Jesus IS Messiah: Isaiah 42:6

““I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people and a light to the nations,” The Messiah would also be the Light of the Gentiles. The word here for light (‘or’) means many things. Light, early light, sun, daylight, etc. But it also has a meaning of instruction. The light of instruction (Proverbs 6:23), a lamp and a light. The Messiah Servant (Isaiah 49:6 & 51:4). The advent of Messiah would be the shining of a great light (Isaiah 9:1). It is also light as source enlightenment & prosperity; light & salvation, as well as light to guide. This is true Messianic light. “Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:28-32). Prophesied over Jesus by a man of Adonai. Admitted by Jesus (John 8:12). Recognised by others (2 Corinthians 4:6; John 1:1-5). Jesus IS the Messiah!

Your Daily Confession of Jesus/Yeshua’s Identity:

Yeshua is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16b