by Tim Hall

"So if Jesus could raise the dead, why did He ask others to move the stone from the tomb where Lazarus was buried?" My question was posed to the Wednesday evening Bible class I was teaching. Our topic of study was John's account of the life of Christ, and our focus was on John 11. I expected to elicit the stock answer to that question: God will only do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. That would have been an appropriate answer.

The answer we heard caught me off guard. The respondent was a farmer, a man with no diplomas or certificates on his wall, but a man of wisdom and sharp insight. "He wanted them to move the stone so they could smell death," was his answer. Immediately I thought to myself, "What a great answer!" Indeed, moments before the stone was rolled away, Martha cautioned Jesus: "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days" (John 11:39, New King James Version).

This insight had never occurred to me (but then there are many insights I've yet to come upon). My view of this passage was now richer than before. There would be powerful benefits for the people standing by Lazarus' tomb. No one would doubt that this man had been dead. When they beheld him stepping forth from the tomb, there would be no questions about whether or not a miracle had been performed in their presence.

That Wednesday evening experience confirmed a principle I've seen demonstrated many times. When Christians come together to seriously study God's word, they will almost always leave with deeper understanding. Even the teacher will benefit, if the students are given opportunities to share their thoughts. Though I've been the one behind the podium, I've thanked God that I was privileged to be a student. The comments of others have helped me see more clearly.

Talking together about God's word will often stimulate us to greater comprehension and service. That's what the Hebrew writer was pointing to in Hebrews 10:24: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." And when can such "stirring" take place? Read the next verse: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

Some dread the Bible class hour and look for a pass to get out of the appointment. But those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will recognize the opportunity to be sharpened in their understanding of the Lord's wonderful will.

by Tim Hall

Seeing Jesus hanging on the cross was too much for the disciples to bear. It must have been especially hard for Peter, James and John who were with the Lord in the garden just hours earlier. Had they not heard Jesus praying fervently to the Father, asking that the cup be removed from His lips? Why had God not heard that prayer? If the Son of God can't get His prayer through to the Father, what hope is there for mere sons of dust?

The Hebrew writer speaks up to correct our misunderstanding. Speaking of Jesus, he wrote: "Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear . . ." (Hebrews 5:7, New King James Version). Obviously, the writer was referring to Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. It was a prayer offered with "vehement cries and tears", and was addressed to the One "who was able to save Him from death". So why didn't God hear that prayer?

The Father DID hear that prayer, according to this passage. Our mistake occurs when we equate God's granting of our request with God hearing our request. That conclusion doesn't follow. It doesn't follow with earthly fathers and their children. There have been times when I have not granted my children's requests, but I certainly took the time to listen and to consider what they were asking. So it is with God, the epitome of Fatherhood.

James expands on this theme by urging us to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). Trials are no fun. They are experiences from which we yearn to be delivered. We pray long and hard that God deliver us from such trials. Yet it is undeniable that God's children are often allowed to remain in those trials. Why? Why wouldn't God release us from pain and suffering?

"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:3,4). It is God's will that we be perfected in preparation for eternity, and the path to perfection frequently involves suffering and patience. There are no shortcuts in the refining of gold and silver, and faith is even more precious than these (1 Peter 1:7).

Our cries to God, even when offered with "vehement cries and tears", will often seem to fall on deaf Ears. Faith, however, reminds us that we will be heard because of our godly fear. When it seems that God is ignoring us, we must tell ourselves that things are not always as they seem.

by Tim Hall

Among the rituals of the holiday season is the replaying of Christmas television specials. Though we've seen "Frosty The Snowman", "Miracle On 34th Street" and "A Christmas Carol" dozens of times, there's something warm and comforting in watching them all over again. It brings back memories of happy days of the past.

I've always enjoyed Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life". In case you've forgotten the story, it's about George Bailey, a good and honest man who has to work hard to make a living. A misfortune comes his way, given a little boost by evil, and George decides that he is worth more dead than he is worth alive. He decides to end his life by jumping into the river. Before he can carry out his plan, however, he is given an opportunity to see what the value of his life really is. In the end, he decides that his is truly a wonderful life.

One of the most poignant scenes is when George returns to his home town as a stranger. Through a divine act, George's past life is erased. It's as if he had never existed. No one knows George, though he knows each of them. He races from one person to another, but no one recognizes or welcomes him. He is a stranger, and a very strange one at that. In this condition, he has no place to call home. It is a frightening scenario.

That could well describe our situation B.C. -- before Christ. Paul pointed to it: ". . . that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12, New King James Version). Do any of us know what it means to be an alien? Not likely. We can usually find someone, in person or by phone, who will say "Sure, come on over and spend the night with us." An alien, however, has no such welcome. He's the one standing outside, looking hopelessly through brightly lit windows at scenes of family gatherings. Shivering, he realizes there is no family for him.

That was before Christ. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). "Welcome! Don't just stand there, man -- come in out of the cold! Here's a place set for you at the table, and a guest room has been prepared for you tonight. You're among friends!"

All who name the glorious name of Jesus Christ and submit to His simple commands have such a wonderful life given to them. Imagine that: All this and heaven, too (see Mark 10:29,30)! How could anyone refuse such an offer?

by Tim Hall

An article last year in "Newsweek" magazine interviewed several experts on the future of education in America. One professor advocated that we move away from having teachers stand up and lecture to the students, and do more interactive instruction. Her desire, she said, was to have "a guide on the side" rather than "a sage on the stage".

This professor made a valid point. There are times when a lecture, or a sermon, accomplishes a great deal. But there are also times when it is good to stand to the side and guide the student in doing things. We're seeing more of this in classrooms across America. It seems to fit in with the general trend of interactivity.

There is an application of the same principle in worship. When the church gathers together to worship God, what do we expect? Do we look to one or a few individuals to "do" worship for us? Or do we rather look to these individuals to guide us as we offer the worship for ourselves?

Sometimes it seems people come looking for the sage on the stage. "You do the Bible study for us," we may say. "You're the scholar, the one with the degree. You tell us what to believe, how to worship, what decisions to make." Certainly we should have respect for those who have been through formal education and have attained degrees. But should we hand over to them the full responsibility of interpreting the Bible and establishing acceptable doctrine?

That would be a mistake. Any person -- educated or ignorant -- is prone to errors in judgment. A preacher may have a deserved reputation as a trusted scholar in God's word, but still can be wrong on a given point. What God expects is for all Christians to be engaged in the task of studying the word and making proper applications. Acts 17:11 clearly points to this: "These [the brethren in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (New King James Version)

We don't expect the song leader to do our singing for us; he is our guide on the side, helping us to offer worship to God for ourselves. Let's apply the same view to the preacher, to the one leading public prayer, and any others who may assist in the worship service. They help us do what God has commanded every Christian to do. They certainly don't do it for us.

by Tim Hall

It struck me one day while I was out walking. As is sometimes my habit, I was silently singing some of the old familiar hymns I've known for so long. "Amazing Grace" was the current selection playing in my mind, one of the hymns most loved by Christians. Then I came to the verse that begins with these words: "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear . . ." Those words suddenly seemed strange to me.

"Grace" and "fear" are opposites in the minds of many. Many who have put the emphasis on the fear of the Lord have often neglected to stress the Lord's grace. Others, especially in more recent times, have emphasized grace to an extreme. For these, fearing the Lord is an antiquated concept. Instead, we ought to approach Him with a casualness not known in previous generations. "Relax, sit down in this comfortable chair and have a chat with your Father" is the tone of many exhortations. "Fear" has been purged from the vocabulary.

What about that line in "Amazing Grace"? Was John Newton having a senior moment when he penned those words? Is there any connection between the grace of God and fearing Him?

In fact, there is a connection. One place where it may be seen is in Hebrews 10. The writer warns us in vivid terms in verse 31: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (New King James Version). If that sentence doesn't teach the fear of the Lord, I'm at a loss to know what we should learn from it. "God is a consuming fire", the writer would go on to affirm in 12:29. You don't play with fire. You develop a healthy respect for it, for it can hurt and destroy.

But fearing the Lord is not the only message the writer had in Hebrews 10. Just four verses later, he would encourage them with these words: "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:35,36). Now, instead of talking about fearful falling, he speaks of confidence and of promises from God. Is this the same God? Indeed it is. But God will show Himself in different ways to different people. How He will show Himself to me depends on how I choose to respond to Him.

While my children were young, I tried to teach them to respect law enforcement officers. On the one hand, they can be our best friends when trouble comes. But for those who live in disregard of the laws of our land, they can become fearful adversaries. Was I being inconsistent to teach such things to my children? No, I was showing grace in teaching them to have a healthy fear of the power of the law. Without such instruction, they might ignorantly walk into some very destructive situations.

Do not doubt this one truth from God's word: He longs to be gracious to each and every soul (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9, etc.). But when we persist in ignoring and rejecting His good will for our lives, He will become a consuming fire. It is a thought that ought to terrify us enough to keep us on the straight and narrow way. And it is grace that teaches us to have such a fear of the Lord.