Nougat 22

Let me begin with an apology for the nougats being later and later – I discovered that I’m extremely tired and waking later each day. As soon as my rhythm is re-established, we should have a regularish delivery.

Back to our reflection on today’s Holy Nougat

“A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. … Finally, [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭11:1, 7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, what do we know so far? We know that there’s a male friend of Jesus who is critically ill. We don’t know his age or any other demographic details, except that he lives with two sisters in a city called Affliction. We suspect that he was from a family of means, as his sisters are in charge.

In one of our earlier readings, we noted that Jesus opted to delay His departure, and by virtue thereof, His response to the family’s desire. Although Jesus location is not given, Jesus mission was extended by at least two days.

And we arrive at this point in our saga, to discover that Jesus is on His way – not to Bethany, but to Judea. That suggests even more delays, and who knows what could happen in Judea. For those of us who might need a jog in our memory, the writer of Matthew places Jesus’ birth in Judea (Bethlehem, Judea); although His family relocated to Nazareth in Galilee for Jesus’s safety. Subsequent stories of Judea are mixed, often with Jesus being unwelcome. In the verse that follows our nougat, the disciples actually attempted to discourage Jesus, “ … his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”

Yet, to Judea He went before making His way to Lazarus’ aid. So what is it about Judea? Perhaps if we reverted to the link between names and narrative format, it might help us (it surely impacted me!). For Judea not only means part of the tribe of Judah but also can be interpreted as song of praise. And while we don’t know Jesus’ current location; we do know that He’s heading to *Affliction*. Given what we actually know about this story, which incidentally is not referenced at all in the other (synoptic) gospels; should we consider that perhaps John the writer wove the sign of Jesus’ death and resurrection into the story?

While that may truly be the case, we also have a simple lesson for us. Isaiah tells us that God ‘gives the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’ (Isaiah 61:3), and that’s what Jesus immersed Himself in – regardless of the possible cost – prior to meeting with sick, soon to be dead Lazarus.

And we ought to do likewise.

If we can see affliction heading our way, rather than give into despair, we must seek our song of praise. For our hope is easier generated in our songs of praise, especially when we don’t know the earthly outcome. I don’t think I’ve gotten there yet; but I believe it’s time for us to relocate to Judea! For, if God inhabits our praises (Psalm 22:3), we know that we know that we know for sure our God is with us in our affliction even as we praise!

Could this be the beginning of our new season of praise?

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May all we seek be found in Christ