John 11:17

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 28^th & 29^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Then there is the arrival of Jesus in each generation since his ascension. He continues to come to us, even now. His promise to his disciples included the familiar words, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

His Great Commission assured them, “…See, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (28:20). When Jesus listened to the painful report from Bethany, “Lord, the one you love is sick…” (11:3), he heard more than simple reportage. Jesus read between the lines and  understood the anguish of Lazarus’ sisters over his condition. Jesus didn’t need to have the sisters ask him to come, as if they needed to use all the right words or he wouldn’t show up. No, Jesus accepted the message from Bethany as his invitation to come, but to do so when the time was right. So it is in our time. Jesus comes to us even if our prayers lack the formulaic request language. In our cries of pain and anguish, he hears the invitation to come. In the words of the psalmist, “His ears are attentive to their cry” (34:14). [BN, 2]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm