Fueling Passion: Cultivating Intimacy with God

A certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Marta. The one whom you love is sick. Lazarus is sleeping.

Both sentences are pointing to the same thing: that Lazarus was sick and that he was loved by Jesus. So why does Jesus repeat this? Why does he emphasize the love he has for Lazarus?

It's because he wants to show that the love he has for Lazarus is the same love he has for Mary and Marta, and ultimately the same love he has for us. Jesus wants us to know that we are loved by him, even in the midst of our trials and sufferings.

And it is in these moments of suffering that we have the opportunity to respond with love back to God. Just like Mary and Marta, we can offer our love and affections to God, even in the midst of our pain.

In John chapter 12, we see this play out as Mary poured out her precious fragrant oil on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. It was a sacrificial act of love. And Jesus accepted this offering because it was a genuine expression of her love for him.

He didn't need the oil or the fragrance, but he desired her love and affection. And in return, Jesus offered his love and comfort to Mary and Marta when Lazarus was raised from the dead.

So what do we do with the oil of intimacy? We give it back to God. We offer our love and affections to him, even in the midst of our suffering. And in return, we receive more of his love and comfort.

It's a beautiful dance, the Mahanim, a dance of love and intimacy between us and our Creator.

So as we enter this season of fasting and prayer, let us cultivate the oil of intimacy and offer it back to God. Let us love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

And let us trust in his love and faithfulness, even in the midst of our trials. For he is a God who loves us and desires our love in return.