Nougat 28

When tensions are high, how do we respond? Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”” ‭‭John‬ ‭11:38-40‬ ‭NLT‬

Continuing from yesterday’s reflection on the nougat we note that Jesus was also troubled, as in visibly upset. To the extent that He wept. Have you been that kind of angry before? For some folks, that’s the warning that it’s dangerous to be around them, as the tears indicate that they were not able to physically give vent to the anger. Yet it is in that intense moment of anger/distress, that Jesus’ divinity shines forth and God’s glory is revealed.

Many of us are aware that one way of burying people in those days was to seal the body in a prepared sepulcher. This offered some protection from creatures I’m sure, and I suppose it perhaps offered the precedent to a family plot. Whatever the logic, Lazarus was buried in one such, and Jesus asked to go see the tomb.

As a spectator, what is your reaction? Are you concerned about Jesus’ well-being, wondering whether He is all together present (since you don’t know the outcome at this time)? As a disciple, how do you respond to Jesus? When He asked that the stone is rolled away, how willing are you to help?

Interestingly, when I saw mention of the rock at Lazarus’ sepulcher, I was drawn to Moses’s rock (see Numbers 20). Perhaps because Jesus was angry. I recalled that Moses was by a rock when he finally lost patience with the Children of Israel in the wilderness. Remember? They were grumbling and grumpy, partly as a result of their grief and partly because they were grumblers. They complained that it would have been better if they perished, which was the last straw. In anger, Moses obeyed God – *but for one detail*. In his moment of anger, he did not give the glory to God!

Could this have been on the writer’s mind too? Note that John repeats the phrase from verse 4, about God’s glory being revealed. Ironically, Martha had actually implied that Jesus could restore Lazarus to life because God answered Jesus’ requests (see verse 22). Yet her concern in that moment was about the stench of death. A slight contrast to the revelation of God’s glory.

But neither Moses, Martha nor Mary was Jesus.

Jesus knew that His mission was to reveal God’s glory to a dying, broken, grumbling and grumpy world. He was troubled and angry, yet He did not sin. Lord may we be like-minded under pressure. Teach us how to live – just like Jesus – solely for Your glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ