9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.L)’> many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12
Wouldn’t a miracle be great? That sure would convince that hard-hearted relative to believe in Jesus. That would show all those non-believers I have to deal with every day. Wouldn’t that be something?
Jesus performed many miracles and many believed because of them. Not everyone had that reaction. Raising Lazarus from the dead was one of his most dramatic miracles. Yet for many of the Jews it was just another reason to kill Jesus AND Lazarus. Folks say they crave a miracle, but do they really?
When I had my knee replacement surgery I prepared myself for a long and painful recovery and rehab. It didn’t happen. I had no pain and had only a few rehab visits at home. I had complete range of motion from the day after surgery. Needless to say I was excited and wanted to tell everyone. I was surprised at the response. I was told I just had a high tolerance for pain or that I was in the very small percentage who had a remarkable recovery. Finally I was told to stop “bragging” about it. So thereafter I just shut up and kept it to myself.
I began to realize just how much of what I see and experience is a miracle. My life is so good and path so easy compared to many. That’s miraculous. I have seen untimely death turn to blessing. That’s miraculous. I have seen lives apparently headed for disaster turn completely around. That’s miraculous. I am sitting here watching the sun rise on a bitterly cold but beautiful day. That’s miraculous.
But I don’t call these things miracles. I don’t acknowledge them daily as acts of a powerful and loving God. I just come to accept them as ordinary life. Maybe I, like the Jews, don’t really want a miracle. I don’t want to accept that God has a hand in every good thing around me. That might be just a little too hard to accept. I don’t want to admit that I’m a walking miracle. If I did, I might have to tell someone. I’ve learned many just don’t want to know. Sounds a little like the gospel and the great commission, doesn’t it?
Be blessed.
Nick
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