Tears — a constant companion when in his presence. There were the tears of fear at the first encounter, when she was dragged like a piece of meat through the city streets by those who claimed to be righteous, dragged right to the very feet of the Master.
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” His questions to her after her accusers had gone their way.
“No one sir,” she had managed.
“Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
She did as she was told and she followed him.
There were the tears of complaint, when after following for a while, she felt empty and afraid and alone. She had gone to him in the silence and darkness of night, fell at his feet and wept.
“Lord, it’s too difficult — I can’t follow you,” she cried.
He touched her gently on the head, and said, “No it’s not. You’ve simply forgotten where you came from and where you’re going. You’re heading toward eternal life. Now be about my business.”
Then there were the tears of doubt, when, after his death, she stood outside his tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two men in white, seated where the body had been.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this she had turned around and saw the Master standing there, but she did not realize it was him.
“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
He simply replied, “Mary.”
Then all the tears and the doubt disappeared.
Occasionally, there are still tears — tears of fear, tears of complaint, tears of doubt, tears of missing his presence. When those tears come, she remembers where she was, she remembers where she’s going. Most of all she remembers him — the Master and his resurrection. She looks forward to eternal life and sitting at his feet once more.
Text 1 John 5:13–21
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.
We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
For Thought
Our dear friend John wrote this letter so we may know we have eternal life. Are you closer today to eternal life then when you began this study? If you’re not, what are you going to do about it?
Water to Wine
- Early on in this study we determined that John was about black and white and absolute statements. In this passage are the most important absolutes of life: 1) you may know that you have eternal life; 2) if we ask of God according to his will it’s ours already; 3) those born of God cannot be harmed by the evil one; and 4) he has given us understanding so that we may know what is true. This week focus on these absolutes and rejoice in God’s grace.
- This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. I hear the naysayer in you now and believe me, you’re not alone. The biggest problem we have with this passage is that we take it out of context. Keep his commands. Love your brother. Stay away from those that deny the Christ. We tend to forget those commandments in this same letter, but buddy, when we’re in need we’re sure to bring this passage out and whine! Here’s a hint: quit whining. Keep the commandments. When you’ve got that down, remember that what you’re asking must be in accordance with his will.
- There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. I know, you want me to give you this great theological answer that will simplify this weighty passage. Guess what: no way. If you haven’t grasped it by now, this study guide is about living it, not grasping every thread of God’s great revelation to man. That said, I’ll leave you with this one last challenge: Don’t let heavy-duty passages like this throw you. Run after God with all you have and I promise you won’t miss him. If you’ve got to know stuff like this, there are tons of commentaries that will give you much more insight than I can provide here. Now go! Be fearless, safe in the love of God! Live it!
