Today’s Reading

First Chronicles 26-27; John 11:18-46

Selected Verses

And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him.  1 Chronicles 26:4

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.  And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”  Jesus wept.  So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”  John 1:33-36

Reflections

Today’s reading in 1 Chronicles includes long lists of names, yet, as we have seen before, there are treasures to be found in these lists.  One example is the comment about Obed-edom,  “God blessed him.”  The note in my Reformation Study Bible (page 626) helped me remember that Obed-edom was the man who took care of the ark of the covenant for three months after a mishandling of it had resulted in death (1 Chronicles 13:13-14; 2 Samuel 6:10-11).  Now we pick up with this same Obed-edom and learn that God’s blessing included eight sons who served as gatekeepers.

What image do you have of the Man Jesus?  Is He too cool and calm to ever show grief or sadness?  Is He always upbeat, joyful, and in total control?  Think again. John 11 does not give us that picture.  When Jesus arrived at Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary, He was deeply moved and troubled by what He saw there: a distraught family, friends seeking to console them, and everyone grieving.  His love and compassion for the sisters and the friends of Lazarus expressed itself in tears that flowed.  Isn’t it curious that Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead in a few minutes, but for the moment He entered into the agony of the bereaved family and felt their suffering?

Think about it

God’s plan for the lives of Obed-edom and Lazarus took them in different paths centuries apart from each other but always under the providential care of the Lord who reigns over all things.  Praise Him who does not overlook the loving and careful service of Obed-edom. Neither will He forget your service for Him. Take comfort in this. The Lord who cared for Lazarus’ family knows and cares for you who are His.  He is the resurrection and the life.  Fear not.  His plan is good and ends with His victory.  Meanwhile, walk on by faith and keep learning to trust the love of God.

© 2017 John A Carroll  Used by permission