Being Wounded by Jesus
I was having dinner with a new friend a couple days ago and she shared with me about a conference she attended. She told me one of the speakers talked about Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus) being wounded by Jesus. This was a hard concept for many to swallow because this was the sister who sat at the feet of Jesus. She is the one that wasn't "busy", but focused on her relationship with Jesus. So, how could she be wounded by Jesus? This concept pierced my heart because truth be told, I've felt wounded by Jesus.
Mary had a close relationship with Jesus. She was considered a good friend and many argue that she was a close disciple of Jesus. In John 11, Mary's brother Lazarus gets sick, so the sisters send for Jesus. They need him to heal their brother. Does Jesus come right away? No, he tarries for several days. When he arrives, Lazarus is dead. It is Martha who runs to meet Jesus and even though she is frustrated, she proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah. Where was Mary? Why didn't she run out to meet Jesus? Mary was at home. She didn't come out until Jesus sent for her. When Mary met Jesus, she accused him of not caring!
How many times have we accused God of not caring? How many times do we feel that he has abandoned us? I think the hardest part sometimes is knowing that he is able to help, but it appears he isn't doing anything. When we feel close to God and have a close relationship with him, we don't understand why he doesn't come to rescue us. We don't understand why he allows so many bad things to happen. We are hurt. We are wounded. We are confused.
I can truly resonate with Mary. I'm not one of those super-religious people who never question God. I'm like Job at times. I don't understand why bad things happen to me and I am heartbroken that the God I love would allow it. I don't understand what he's doing and why he's doing it. How should we feel when we know that God is able to do something and he doesn't?
It is still a question that I am grappling with, but there is one thing I know for sure: God loves me! I also know that God loves you, too! I know that he is there for us even when we don't see him. I know that he gives us strength day by day to make it through the storm. I know that he has a plan and a purpose for my life, even though the tunnel looks dark sometimes. I hold on to these 3 scriptures:
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
My friends, every trial has brought me closer to my Lord and Savior; and, I would not trade that for anything else in the world. I know sometimes you may be hurt and feel wounded by Jesus, but hold on, he's always there; even when you don't see him at work!
Mary had a close relationship with Jesus. She was considered a good friend and many argue that she was a close disciple of Jesus. In John 11, Mary's brother Lazarus gets sick, so the sisters send for Jesus. They need him to heal their brother. Does Jesus come right away? No, he tarries for several days. When he arrives, Lazarus is dead. It is Martha who runs to meet Jesus and even though she is frustrated, she proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah. Where was Mary? Why didn't she run out to meet Jesus? Mary was at home. She didn't come out until Jesus sent for her. When Mary met Jesus, she accused him of not caring!
How many times have we accused God of not caring? How many times do we feel that he has abandoned us? I think the hardest part sometimes is knowing that he is able to help, but it appears he isn't doing anything. When we feel close to God and have a close relationship with him, we don't understand why he doesn't come to rescue us. We don't understand why he allows so many bad things to happen. We are hurt. We are wounded. We are confused.
I can truly resonate with Mary. I'm not one of those super-religious people who never question God. I'm like Job at times. I don't understand why bad things happen to me and I am heartbroken that the God I love would allow it. I don't understand what he's doing and why he's doing it. How should we feel when we know that God is able to do something and he doesn't?
It is still a question that I am grappling with, but there is one thing I know for sure: God loves me! I also know that God loves you, too! I know that he is there for us even when we don't see him. I know that he gives us strength day by day to make it through the storm. I know that he has a plan and a purpose for my life, even though the tunnel looks dark sometimes. I hold on to these 3 scriptures:
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
My friends, every trial has brought me closer to my Lord and Savior; and, I would not trade that for anything else in the world. I know sometimes you may be hurt and feel wounded by Jesus, but hold on, he's always there; even when you don't see him at work!
Just found your blog (linked from Her.menuetics). Got totally lost in reading post after post. We think the same way about a lot issues. You keep writing...and I'll keep reading. No comment really, just a note of gratitude...
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