John 11:45
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
It is easy to wonder why it took such a long time for the Jews to believe in Jesus. However, though we look through the prism of history and know that Jesus came as the Son of God to die for the sins of mankind, they did not know that Jesus was the Son of God. In order for Jesus to make a difference in their life, He had to prove to them that He was able to make a difference in their lives.
One moment that Jesus made a difference in the lives of some of the Jews was at the death of Lazarus. Jesus had already told His disciples that Lazarus died so that God could receive the glory. But before this moment happened when these people believed on Jesus, he wept because of Lazarus’ death, he was there for the sisters of Lazarus, and He was willing to put everything on the line to show His power to raise Lazarus from the dead. Had Jesus not done these things, He would not have made an impact on these people so that they would believe on Him.
Do you desire to make an impact for God on the lives of others? God did not place you here to live a wasted life. God wants you to make an impact on others for Him, but you don’t make that impact without first proving to others that they are willing to believe in you so that you can make an impact in their lives. Let’s face it, you can’t impact others if they don’t believe or trust you. When you look at Jesus’ life, He did three things that you must do if you are going to make an impact on others.
First, you must be there for others in their time of need. Jesus was there for Mary, Martha, and the friends of Lazarus in their time of grief, and that opened their hearts to allow Jesus to make an impact on their lives. You will never impact others for God if you are not willing to be inconvenienced to be there for them in their time of need. If you make your life about only helping others when it is convenient for you, you will find yourself never making an impact on others. My friend, it is rare that another’s time of need will happen at a convenient moment; therefore, you must be willing to be inconvenienced in life if you want to make an impact on others.
Second, you must hurt with others in their time of hurt. One of the greatest verses that described Jesus’ heart for others is John 11:35 which says, Jesus wept. You cannot hurt for others if you have not invested your heart and life in others. You will find it is easy to weep with others in their time of hurt, and rejoice with them in their time of victory when your heart is invested in them. The more you invest in others, the easier it is to have compassion for them. People want to see that you have skin in their life before they will allow you to make an impact on them. If you are not invested with your life in others, you will not make an impact on their lives.
Third, they must see God working through your life in power. People will not follow someone whose life does not give them a reason to follow. People want to be a part of something big, and the only way you can do something big is to attempt great things for God by faith. People will get behind you and help you to attempt something big for God when you have invested your heart in them, and are there for them in their time of need.
