5-11-21
(Reminder: I’m doing an A to Z devotional blog.)
The first L word we’ll start with is Laban. We discover in Genesis 29
that he has two daughters: Leah and Rachel. In Genesis 29:17, we’re
told Rachel—the younger daughter—is a total knock-out. She’s supermodel
material. Probably graced the cover of Middle East Models, Mesopotamia
Marvels and the Lovely Ladies of Paddan Aram.
This same Scripture (Genesis 29:17) draws an extreme contrast between
Leah and Rachel. Depending on which version of the Bible you’re reading,
Leah has “weak eyes” (NIV, ESV), “delicate eyes” (NKJV), “tender
eyes” (MEV, KJ), “no sparkle in Leah’s eyes” (NLT) and “no brightness
to Leah’s eyes” (The Voice).
Many Bible scholars conclude that Leah may have been cross-eyed. The
truth is whether they were delicate, tender, weak, sparkle-free or badly
deformed, they were the exact opposite of her sister’s. Poor Leah. Her dad,
Laban, was afraid he’d never be able to marry her off, so he tricked Jacob
into marrying her—leading him to believe that under her wedding garb and
thick veil she was Rachel—and Jacob had to work seven more years to
gain Rachel as well.
Sigh.
Deceit never goes over well.
Lazarus grew up in the same city I did—Bethany. The only
difference is about 7,000 miles. Lazarus lived south of Jerusalem; I lived
north of OKC.
When we dive inside of John 11:1-44, we discover that Lazarus has died
and Jesus tenderly weeps for His friend. I find great comfort in the fact
that Jesus cries with me and feels my sorrow.
When He raised Lazarus from the grave, this dead-man-walking sauntered from the tomb bound in burial cloths as he approached the crowd.
Guess what! Jesus is still removing whatever binds us.
He’s still in the grave-busting biz.
He’s still giving new life to sinners.
My favorite L word in Scripture is found all through the Bible. Sometimes
it’s exclaimed in cacophonous melody, other times it’s whispered in delicate
undertones . . . and it was once even demonstrated through horrific torture
on a cruel Cross.
Love, real Love, God’s Love, can’t be stopped,
killed,
defeated,
wiped-out,
erased,
obliterated,
demolished,
annihilated,
slaughtered
or removed.
Read 1 Corinthians 13 for proof.
So let’s “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because
it does.” (1 Corinthians 14:1 Message)
_______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Thoughts?
