And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” John 11: 37, NKJV.
Dear God, You who see the end from the beginning and have all the answers to our questions please speak to us today through your Word. We pray in the only name that brings salvation – the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We are looking at the story of Lazarus today. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. they were Jesus’ friends. There are some very interesting details in this story:
1) At the very beginning of the story God places what we could consider a disclaimer clause: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (5).
2) Even though the sisters are quite different: Mary: a disciple – sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10: 39; John 12: 3), Martha: hospitable – one who served (Luke 10: 38, 40; John 12: 2). Yet they both said the same thing to Jesus when their brother died: ” ‘ “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” ‘ ” (John 11: 21, 32).
3) There was a purpose for Lazarus’ death (John 11: 4, 15, 45).
4) Jesus entered into their sorrow (35).
Let us look at each detail of this story as we consider some of the questions and feelings we deal with when we are face to face with our worst enemy – death – and what are some of the antidotes that are available for use against its deadly sting.
a) God loves us and our loved ones. If, in the midst of our pain when nothing makes sense we can remember God’s love for us and focus on that love, we will be safe. Because nothing, absolutely nothing, “neither death nor life, . . . nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Praise His name!
b) Grief brings to the surface what we truly believe. It can also be the means of enabling us to get the help we may need. Even though Mary and Martha seemed so different in the way they viewed life, the death of Lazarus revealed that when life was in the balance they both saw Jesus as the only answer! Would to God, that not only during the time of mourning, but all through our lives, we as Christians, could discover that the things that bind us as human beings are so much bigger and more important than the things that separate us – and yet find the way to appreciate and celebrate our differences. Our world would be such a better place. There would be no need for Luke 10: 40 in our Bibles, or, in our lives!
c) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8: 28), is a true statement. It is true whether God has to take the treachery of others and turn it into a blessing for His child, or whether He Himself ordained the pain to save us from something worse. Every situation in the life of a Christian can be a means of bringing glory to God. Your suffering is not in vain!
d) You are not alone in your pain. God sees every teardrop. He feels every pain. Jesus wept because the suffering of a child of God is personal to Him. So personal that He has a bottle for our tears, and He writes them in His book (Psalm 56: 8)! And one day He will dry the last tear from the eyes of His children. The sting of death will be forever gone and forgotten!
“Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Of course He could – He is not only a Man – He is also God. And ” ‘with God all things are possible.’ ” But He may choose to do it some other way, for His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. So “when we can’t trace His plans”, let us trust His love!