THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 3, No. 45 – Monday, 5th November, 2018
(John 11:1-44)
MIRACLES AND THE MYSTERY OF BETHANY
A careful read through the gospel according to Saint John chapter 11 reveals both salient and subtle lessons. Salient, because some lessons contained therein are obvious. Subtle, because mere surface interpretation will not be sufficient to understand certain lessons subtly embedded therein.
Why?Because those lessons are encoded in mysteries. A glance through this chapter tells us about a family of three: Mary, Martha and their brother, Lazarus living in a city called Bethany. It is possible for the Bible to tell us about these three without a reference to their place of abode.
But it did. Remember that God who penned the Bible will refer to nothing in His word except there is a reason. After all, Christ said: ‘heaven and earth will pass away, but not a jot or little from God’s word will pass away without its fulfilment (Matt.5:18).
So then, the question arises: why the reference to Bethany? One answer is to say that referring to the family of three without the mention of their hometown would have left a vacuum in the story line. I contend that such answer would not have done justice to the question. So what is the reason?
We see another mystery in the attitude of the Lord to the news about His friend, Lazarus who was reported to be sick. We are further informed that despite this news, the Helper of humanity (that is the Son of the Living God) shifted no foot in the direction of Bethany. Again, Why?
Eventually, this friend of the Lord was reported dead. And yet, it appeared that the Lord simply made light of the situation by refusing to agree that His friend was now dead. The Lord rather said: ‘Lazarus our friend is sleeping’.
Sleeping! One who has already been buried! Indeed, he was four days in the grave. I mean, already four days beneath the heated earth crust! And yet Lord, you say that Lazarus is merely sleeping! No Lord, your friend is not just dead but very dead.
A further read through the text of John chapter 11 tells us that after Lazarus’ return to the region of the living through the restoring grace in the life, blood and body of the Lord, no one came to assist him to remove the grave clothes he yet had on.
Why? Why couldn’t this man Lazarus simply get simple help? Common sense would inform that one who has been dead, and now alive, would easily obtain the sympathy of all. But why was this man’s case different?
By the way, why couldn’t the Lord Himself take off those grave clothes from him after restoring him back to life and living? Let us come back a bit and ask a question. Why did the Lord wait until the situations got beyond its worst stage for the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus before showing up?
Whilst the Lord stood at the grave of Lazarus, he wept. Why? Oh! merciful father! This text is just loaded with questions, questions and questions. The Spirit of the Lord is more than able to answer every question.
So, to start with, the Bible informs us that by whatever name Adam called anything in the garden of Eden that was the name of that thing (Gen.2:19). And that thing remained so in form and in substance.
The name and the meaning of anything will determine the good or the bad that happens to that thing, person or territory. Name and meaning gives substance (worth) or superfluity to whatsoever and to whomsoever it is attached. In the spiritual realm, the meaning of any name is a major point of contact not even just the actual name.
Bethany could not record any positive story because of its name and meaning. And such will always remain the case until there is a divine intervention. Bethany never knew any celebration until the Helper of humanity came to its rescue. Bethany means the ‘house of unripe fruits’.
This is the same as saying that Bethany means the unfruitful house or the unproductive factory. Of what value would an unripe mango, apple, pineapple, pawpaw or orange be to anyone at such age where knowledge and technology were yet at their lowest ebb?
Bethany was a territory where nothing prospered. What is your name and what is the meaning of your name? What is the spiritual state of the house you rented or built? Are you aware that houses usually have leprosy and they were considered as forbidden places? (See Lev.13 and 14, 2 Chron.26:21).
What mark of spiritual leprosy exists in your place of abode? Leprosy, whether physical or spiritual, is a mark of unacceptance, unaffection and critical rejection. Are you aware that leprosy, physical or spiritual, is contagious?
The spiritual leprosy in your apartment may be responsible for the reason of your rejection, being unduly envied and atrociously hated by people. The fact that you slept in that leprous house and from that same house you left off to attend that interview, was the sole reason for being refused despite that job being already delivered into your laps.
Any house where there exist physical or spiritual leprosy is in effect and in essence a spiritual Bethany. Fruitfulness of any printable sort will be extremely difficult in such houses until a prayer altar is set up for the Helper of humanity to ride and thrive on.
Are you rejoicing because you are of the opinion that your house is excluded since it is government house? Have you ever considered who lived in that house before you, what words or events took place physically or spiritually there before you? Ask yourself the honest question.
What is your most current progress report financially and in every respect since you got into that house and area of abode? Is your place of abode another Bethany needing the attention of the Helper of Humanity?
Perhaps to you, this edition of The Message Now is nothing but mere superstition. I dare tell you that the most spiritual people will even take what appears like superstition to God in prayer. For praying and prayer costs no man nothing.
So, dismissing this with mere wave of hand can simply keep you down still in that struggle. But understand that knowledge and its subsequent application is the best pain-reliever. I question you in all humility brother, sister, that why must things and events continue to follow the same pattern year-in-year out?
Beloved, would you take time to find out what mark is on that house where you live. Has your name been marked too? What is your name marked for? Please understand dearly beloved, your name and its meaning may be so pleasant.
But if negative things are continuing in your life like Naomi (which means pleasant), then there is a need to find out whether that name is your God-given name or not. You must take conscious steps to find out why things are taking the wrong order despite the bearing of a good name with a good meaning (to be continued next week).
IN THE END, ALTHOUGH IT IS ARGUED THAT CHANGE IS THE MOST CONSTANT THING IN THE ANNALS OF MAN. BUT NO CHANGE WILL EVER BE CONSTANT BUT SECURELY IMPRISONED TO A SPOT UNTIL THERE IS A REALISATION THAT THERE IS NEED FOR CHANGE. SUCH REALISATION WILL OFTEN NOT BE SUFFICIENT UNTIL CONSCIOUS STEPS TOWARDS CHANGING THE ONGOING STATUS QUO BEGINS.
Question and Answer Section:
Question: Which prophet in the Bible was requested by God to eat human faeces but later changed to cows’ faeces?
Answer: Prophet Ezekiel
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com or 08098198155.
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ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: I’m Pressing On The Upward Way
PRAY NOW:
1. Repent from every laziness to pray when needed and not needed.
2. Every tragedy left in 2018, I send you far away from my life, family and abode.
3. Where is your face O God of Jeshurun, appear in my situation today and wrought a great and uncommon deliverance.
4. My dwelling place, receive deliverance.
5. O spirits, words, thoughts and personalities waging war against Express Image Glory Ministries, collide against God and be eternally paralysed.
6. My stolen prosperity virtues, return to me now.
7. What is my real name recognised by God? Please release it to me O God.
8. Every evil point of contact against me in the spirit realm, catch fire now.
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