John’s accounts of Jesus in the New Testament show us how easy it is to misunderstand Jesus. Jesus is at the temple in Jerusalem. The people are talking to Jesus, but not understanding him. They say to him “Do not keep us in suspense! Tell us plainly. Are you the Messiah? Jesus answered, “I have already told you but you would not believe me”. The people try to stone him. Jesus slips out of their hands and crosses the Jordan. In Bethany, near to Jerusalem, a very good friend of his is ill. This person is Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha who are extremely fond of Jesus. Mary and Martha send a message to Jesus saying, “Lord your dear friend is ill”. When he receives the news that Lazarus is ill, Jesus decides to stay on the other side of the Jordan for two more days. What will Martha and Mary make of this? Jesus is giving them no opportunity for talking and listening. They are finding it difficult to understand him. They know Jesus is a healer, but he is not there to heal. Lazarus dies. Jesus then says, “let us go back to Judea”. He has delayed responding to their request. Was he procrastinating? Certainly the disciples were. John says the disciples wanted to delay his return to Judea. “Just a short time ago the people there wanted to stone you; and are you planning to go back?” Jesus’ reply to them is interesting. Instead of talking about the dangers of Jerusalem, he speaks to them about the dangers of living in darkness. The remarkable discipline of Jesus comes through his intimacy with God. He talks to God. He listens to God. He understands God. He does not act on impulse and his ability to resist temptation is based on his commitment to prayer and scripture. He is delaying because he has a greater purpose. When he delayed his return, Martha and Mary both accuse him with the words “If you had been here Lord my brother would not have died!” The answer from Jesus is surprising. “Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies”. So it was with Lazarus, and so it is with you! You can seek Jesus in the wrong way. Martha and Mary who were close friends of Jesus did this, and this was not the first time. Martha wanted Jesus to fit in to her desires when he was visiting their house on a previous occasion and speaking to Mary while she was busy with the housework. You may wish Jesus to fit in with your own lifestyle and still answer your difficulties. Although your desires are sincere, you are too busy to spend time with Jesus, just as Martha was. Our idols are a problem. Idols come in the form of an over attachment to something that is, in itself, perfectly good. It is easier to see the idols that other people have, rather than your own.. You may feel superior to the teenage girl with a pop star idol, like Gareth Yates or the population idolising a football team. However, if the focus of your beliefs is on the security that the world gives rather than the hope that is found in Jesus, your idols are in your beliefs and they will be where your love really lies.