1Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
John 11:1-4

Anticipation

The Gospel of Jesus changes the way we enter into each day. Jesus moves us to see all things through the perspective of the cross. When we do so, we will see glimpses of God’s glory.

Jesus returned to Bethany anticipating God’s glory. His disciples returned to Bethany with dread. They likely dreaded the grief of Lazarus’ death. They definitely dreaded  the looming conflict with Jerusalem’s authorities. Thomas and the disciples admired Jesus so much they could not imagine life without their leader. (Read the rest of John 11)

But in it all, Jesus wanted them to anticipate seeing God’s glory.

Your Outlook for Today

What are you anticipating today?

Some days our expectations are light and joy. Some days our morning begins with darkness and gloom. Through it all, the Spirit of God would condition us to anticipate the Kingdom of God breaking in so we can get a glimpse of the glory of Jesus.

A Prayer to See God’s Glory

Here’s my prayer for you as I join with the Apostle Paul in his prayer:

14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21