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“Therefore the sisters [Martha and Mary] sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love [Lazarus] is sick.’ When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11.3-5).

It is interesting that the two sisters, both of whom were the objects of the Master’s affection, simply identified their brotheer to Jesus as “…he whom You love.” They spoke as if Lazarus were the only person in the world whom Jesus loved! They knew that Jesus would know the one to whom they were referring by their description. There is something special about this text and our study will unveil that special trait of our Lord.

I have known other people who seemed to have this trait; each person with whom they have contact seems to perceive that he/she is special in that person's sight. In other words, their speech and conduct is such that every person who comes into their presence seems to sense that there was nothing more important than the conversation that he/she was having at the time. We walk away from such an encounter feeling good about ourselves and the other person even if we do not agree with everything he/she said or vise versa. This gift is one of genuine concern for others; there is no faking it!

Jesus had that effect on people. Even those who were the objects of His wrath knew that He acted out of genuineness and concern. Certainly those who loved Him knew that their love was not a one way matter; they knew that they only reciprocated somewhat in kind for the love that He had first for them. As a Christian, I know that Jesus loves me, and I know it because the Bible tells me so. No, there is no text that contains my name or an explicit affirmation of Jesus’ love for me by name, but the Bible still tells me so! Furthermore, it tells me that He first loved me and not the reverse (see 1 John 4.19). To take this a step further, I know that He loved me even when I was a sinner and an enemy (see Romans 5.8-10).

Not every heart can be touched by this story, but those that are capable of being saved must be touched by this story; it is not an option. The story of the Cross is first and foremost a story of love! There are other important aspects of the Cross (e.g. justice, mercy, sacrifice, blood, forgiveness, etc.) but no theme of the Cross outshines the love that it demonstrates! I personally have seen the hardest of hearts melt when the story of the Cross was presented with the love of Jesus as the centerpiece of the story. But as absolute confirmation of this principle, the Bible contains numerous illustrations of the efficacy of this story when told with love to an enemy of the Cross (e.g. Saul of Tarsus, about 3000 on Pentecost, etc.).

Life is complex and yet we frequently hear about life’s simple pleasures. Fortunately, some things are indeed simple! Jesus loves me! This I know for the Bible tells me so. Be assured that life has no greater pleasure than the sure knowledge that Jesus loves me, and this I can know!!

Questions:

1. Why might Martha and Mary have thought that Jesus would know of whom they spoke when they only referred to him as “the one whom you love”?

2. Why is love spoken of as the centerpiece of the story of the Cross? Can fear alone save?

3. According to Romans 5.10, how were we reconciled to God? What were we at that time?

4. How do we know that the story of love will convert the sinner? How do you know that Jesus loves you? How does anyone know of Jesus’ love for him/her?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The Second Sin