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Wednesday, March 2,
2022
This old mill and farmhouse are near Blue Mountain in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania.
"The Odor Of Death"
Message
summary: Today let us consider what is considered
one of the foulest odors of all, death. A rather morbid
topic but we end with good news.
"But,
Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been
there four days" (John 11:39) "The dead man came out,
his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a
cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the
grave clothes and let him go'" (John 11:44).
This morning we awoke to a very pungent, foul odor permeating our house. I checked around inside to see if something was amiss but then I remembered. Coming home yesterday afternoon we noticed that they were setting up to spread organic fertilizer (aka manure) on the field across from our house. I looked out early this morning and sure enough that accounted for the foul order as I saw the machinery spreading the manure.
This morning we awoke to a very pungent, foul odor permeating our house. I checked around inside to see if something was amiss but then I remembered. Coming home yesterday afternoon we noticed that they were setting up to spread organic fertilizer (aka manure) on the field across from our house. I looked out early this morning and sure enough that accounted for the foul order as I saw the machinery spreading the manure.
It's just a
part of living our in the country when people build homes
in active agricultural areas. The farmers were here first
and we all benefit from their work. This happens
several times a year and foul odor only lasts a day or two
depending on the weather.
But it got
me thinking about the foul odors of war being experienced
by the people in Ukraine. These are odors I am not
familiar with but sadly can be summed up as the odors of
death. Burning, chemicals, artillery, fuels and other
odors of death. And so sad we don't want to even think
about are the odors of human death. We continue to pray
regarding this matter and for peace and strength. Monday
we shared several specific ways we are praying.
Today let us
consider one of the foulest odors of all, the odor of
death. It's something most of us have only heard about in
regard to crime scenes and decaying bodies. I do not ever
recall personally experiencing the odor of death.
Today's text is from the account of the resurrection of Lazarus. This is surely one of our Lord's greatest miracles and particularly set in motion the great opposition that led to His arrest, trial and crucifixion (see 11:46ff). This is the occasion when we are specifically told "Jesus wept".
How utterly disappointed Mary and Martha were when Jesus did not make it in time to heal their brother. But Jesus had another miracle in store, a resurrection!
Prior to the miracle Mary had responded to Christ's command to move the stone with the well reasoned observation, "But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days" (v.39). Notice Jesus does not dispute this. Instead he calls out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth". And that's just what Lazarus did!
Think and ponder with me for a moment. Surely a great miracle had occurred as Lazarus marched out of that tomb. But do you suppose there was an odor? Now surely Jesus could have had him come out in a tuxedo if He willed, but the text plainly says he was still wrapped in the linen grave clothes and Jesus commanded those who witnessed the miracle to "take off the grave clothes and let him go".
I wonder what kind of job this was? Sure, they were rejoicing, but did they try to avoid this command and say to one another, "You unwrap him".
Today's text is from the account of the resurrection of Lazarus. This is surely one of our Lord's greatest miracles and particularly set in motion the great opposition that led to His arrest, trial and crucifixion (see 11:46ff). This is the occasion when we are specifically told "Jesus wept".
How utterly disappointed Mary and Martha were when Jesus did not make it in time to heal their brother. But Jesus had another miracle in store, a resurrection!
Prior to the miracle Mary had responded to Christ's command to move the stone with the well reasoned observation, "But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days" (v.39). Notice Jesus does not dispute this. Instead he calls out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth". And that's just what Lazarus did!
Think and ponder with me for a moment. Surely a great miracle had occurred as Lazarus marched out of that tomb. But do you suppose there was an odor? Now surely Jesus could have had him come out in a tuxedo if He willed, but the text plainly says he was still wrapped in the linen grave clothes and Jesus commanded those who witnessed the miracle to "take off the grave clothes and let him go".
I wonder what kind of job this was? Sure, they were rejoicing, but did they try to avoid this command and say to one another, "You unwrap him".
Was there an
odor? Was Lazarus, graveclothes and all, completely
sanitized during the miracle? Did he come out smelling
like "Old Spice"? Of course we don't know but I really
think not! I would imagine that the folks had a pretty
nasty little job in getting those clothes removed.
The Bible says, prior to conversion, we are all "dead in our transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). To those with a nose to smell spiritually I'm sure there is an odor! I'm thankful for those who, through the years, have removed the old, stinky graveclothes of the newly redeemed (and still do so). I'm thankful for the privilege of unwrapping graveclothes from others who have been resurrected spiritually. Sure, there is an odor and it's hard at times, but underneath a new person is being formed and growing in the image of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, prior to conversion, we are all "dead in our transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). To those with a nose to smell spiritually I'm sure there is an odor! I'm thankful for those who, through the years, have removed the old, stinky graveclothes of the newly redeemed (and still do so). I'm thankful for the privilege of unwrapping graveclothes from others who have been resurrected spiritually. Sure, there is an odor and it's hard at times, but underneath a new person is being formed and growing in the image of Jesus Christ.
But then
Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That's when death was arrested and my life began
That's when death was arrested and my life began
Jesus loved
Lazarus and he loves us in spite of the odor. May He also
help us to love one another today!
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we marvel in the
resurrected healing of the dead man,
Lazarus. When his sisters and friends
had given up hope all along You had a
plan to defy death and raise Larazus to
newness of life. It's true in our lives
as well, since You have made it possible
for us to put to death the old nature
and You have raised to life the new
person we are as we are born again.
Thank You for forgiving us our sins and
giving us life eternal through Your
death and Your resurrected life. Amen.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we marvel in the
resurrected healing of the dead man,
Lazarus. When his sisters and friends
had given up hope all along You had a
plan to defy death and raise Larazus to
newness of life. It's true in our lives
as well, since You have made it possible
for us to put to death the old nature
and You have raised to life the new
person we are as we are born again.
Thank You for forgiving us our sins and
giving us life eternal through Your
death and Your resurrected life. Amen.We
continue to pray for Ukraine that in the
midst of this horrible war you will
reveal Yourself to the people so that
they trust You. We pray for a miraculous
intervention.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
Yesterday
between appointments we drove through
a rural section of Pennsylvania along
the north side of Blue Mountain
This
tractor has been parked a long, long
time. A tree is growing through it!
The
last thing you might expect to see
nestled up against Blue Mountain in
rural, PA -
a Hindu
Retreat Center!
Back in
Lancaster County in the afternoon we
stopped by Costco and this Amish
farmer had driven his tractor with a
trailer for shopping!
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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