New Possibilities

Scripture – John 11:33-39: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Very seldom do we get glimpses of Jesus’ personal thoughts and feelings. Here we see Him “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” He knows what He’s going to do. At the same time, He sees the pain and grief of Mary and the others. It brought tears to His own eyes. In Christ God really does identify with me. He’s not some distant, omnipotent, dispassionate power watching life unfold here. He knows grief. He knows how hard it is to watch people in pain. He knows me. And in Him, I know nothing is ever final. “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. Something new is about to happen. New possibilities are always present.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I seldom can see specifically what Christ has in mind for my future. I do live with the assurance He is always in control. I do know He has nothing but the best in mind for me. So I will walk with Him, even through some dark valleys, because I know He is with me.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, take over today. Show me your way. Give me what I need. Help me see what stones I may have put in the way myself. Show me how to take them away. Thank you.