http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011&version=ESV
Today's passage focuses on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I'm sure that you have heard the story of this miracle many times as it is one of the most famous in the Gospels, but Scripture is always able to impact us and help draw us closer to Christ no matter how many times we have encountered a specific passage.
We celebrated baptisms yesterday and baptism is a perfect symbol of death and resurrection as baptism reminds us that we are buried with Christ and raised to walk in the newness of life.
Jesus calls us to life, just as He called Lazarus to life. Notice the order of events. Jesus waited on God's timing so that the Father would be glorified. It is not when Mary and Martha would have liked, but when the Father and the Son determined best for impacting not only Lazarus and his family but the entire world.
Once the time was right, Jesus went to Bethany. He did not minimize the grief of the sisters and He openly wept, showing His humanity and compassion. He then went to the tomb, prayed to the Father, and summoned Lazarus to come forth. Notice that there was nothing that Lazarus could do on his own. He was completely dependent upon God for bringing him back to life, but once summoned, Lazarus needed to respond and walk out in faith and then required assistance from others to unwrap him.
This is a perfect example of the Christian life. We are dead in our trespasses and sins. Grave clothes have covered our bodies and trapped us inside a shell. We can't speak or see until God summons us. Then God opens our eyes and ears and allows us to move towards Him. We still have to listen and obey. Once we are brought into the community of living believers, then we need to accept the help of others and learn what it means to be a part of the living.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He is not dead. He has conquered death and reaches out to us in compassion and love. He not only brings us back from the death but He grants us life. This life is not a return to the stench of the grave but should be reflected with abundant life that brings the fragrance of life to others.
Are you still dead in the grave or have you accepted the free gift of eternal life? If you are a Christian, is your life a fragrant offering or could you be mistaken for the world's walking dead who have eyes but do not see and ears but do not hear?
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Death and Resurrection pattern. Don't be surprised my friends if we see this same pattern in our circumstances. Something seems totally hopeless of change. A dream you have been hanging onto is now totally dead and buried. We've given up all hope of it ever changing or coming to pass. In these times when the tomb is sealed and the air stinks with death the One who is the Resurrection and the life comes and speaks a word to our hopeless circumstance.
ReplyDeleteInstantly hope is revived and we see start to reverse quickly. I've seen this pattern over and over and over in my life. The key to it all is to come to Jesus and say, "Yes, Lord I do believe" "You are the resurrection and the life"
Who knows what the Lord might do in in our life!
Lazarus being resurrected has a very interesting aspect--->Jesus could have done everything by HIMSELF, as far as the actual act of this resurrection.
ReplyDeleteHowever, JESUS commanded that the stone be removed.
**This is a very significant event, in addition to the resurrection itself--->God wants us to take action and to get involved with our own lives and with our own salvation.
In order for us to receive supernatural blessing and growth, we MUST use our will properly in the natural world. We must "be prepared for action" as the New Testament teaches.
***One more thing--->(Not to be argumentative)--->The gift of eternal life is not free--->**It was purchased via immense suffering. Yes Romans 6:23 says the gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ;however, it is a result of Christ's sufferings and of our suffering. It was purchased at a very high price.
Luke 9:23--->This verse clearly tells us that we must deny ourselves(every day). This goes against our nature, and is very difficult to achieve.
**If anyone tells you that being a Christian is easy, they are lying. If they are worldly Christians, their suffering will be recognizably less than the suffering of those who are true disciples and who are spreading the Gospel.
Peace and love!!!