“Jesus said, ‘I AM the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
I’m always moved by a video of a soldier returning from a long deployment and upon seeing their father, the children sprint to reach him. Their smiles and shouts of joy are followed by hugs that display the desire of never wanting to let go of their father.
Maybe you’ve had a time of separation from your father, mother or siblings that you thought would never end in a reunion and a promise of joyful times together again.
Martha and Mary were early followers of Jesus and a separation caused their faith to sink into a deep pit. Their beloved brother Lazarus was sick and eventually died. “Where was Jesus? He promised to heal! Why didn’t He do something?” But Jesus didn’t have an earthly answer. He promised an eternal effect. When Jesus arrived to see the sisters there was hope, yet questions lingered. “If you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died,” said Martha. “Yet, I know...” she continued. Faith! Her Savior would not let them down. He had a reason and would reveal His purpose. Looking at her with loving reassurance Jesus whispered it’s ok... “I AM the resurrection and the life ... whoever believes in Me ... will live” (v. 25).
As the crowd grew, I’m sure some expected a miracle. Others hoped for failure to reinforce their accusations against Jesus. Jesus approached the grave. Paused. And then “wept” (v.35). I believe it wasn’t due to a temporary loss. He wept because death existed in a sinful world, and He wept for the hearts of those refusing to believe His message of redemption and hope.
Jesus’ quiet prayer of thanksgiving for what was about to happen turned into a thunderous shout “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43). Can you imagine what it must have looked like as the crowd heard the command and waited for a dead-man to walk out of a grave. I imagine Lazarus looking out of the tomb, adjusting his eyes, then smiling as he saw Jesus. His tightly wrapped grave cloths representing his old life fell off as he sprinted toward Jesus to begin his new life. Shouting joyfully “I’m alive!” As Lazarus threw his arms around the Living GOD he might have even whispered to Jesus “I knew you’d show up...”
Maybe you’ve had an experience that caused you to cry-out “how could this happen to me”, “why now”?! There’s no earthly explanation and your trust that GOD is in control wavers.
When the world seems hopeless, Jesus asks us to run to and follow Him. He will provide everlasting peace and new beginnings for you.
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