The Death of Lazarus Read John 11:1-16

John 11:4 “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus; this has happened in order to bring glory to God, and it will be the means by which the Son of God will receive glory.”

LENT is a period of reflection. It is a time of letting go. The 40 days is a time to purposefully direct our lives, moreso than other times of the year, to the Living Christ, the author of salvation. And more, Lent is a time of positive expectation.
    And thus, I think it appropriate to begin with a story on new life second only to that of Jesus’ own resurrection. Consider this: Jesus words, “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus” is a topic sentence, a purpose statement of the entire Bible! When we begin to read this story of Lazarus, knowing the final result, we have hope and joy in our heart. We are able to withstand Jesus’ waiting to go to his friend’s aid. We understand why he waits because we have a full understanding of the life power he is about to unveil to mankind.
    Genesis, though, evokes the opposite emotions. When I begin reading of God’s wondrous creation and see the words, “and it was good” giving God’s glorious benediction to each day’s creation, a sense of grief lurks in my soul. I know what is coming is not good. Disobedience, sin – death – enters into perfection. “Good” lasts only until Genesis 3—and the rest of the Bible is a story of struggle against our Creator…until this moment, until Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, once again demonstrates God’s good, creative, life-giving power.
    When we live a “resurrected” life, we live with a trust in Jesus’ good power to bring us to God’s full life each day and eternally. Resurrected from our sins in Jesus, we can get up in the morning to confront the “not-good” events of each day. We can be glad for challenges. We can face adversity squarely in the face and have the strength of life in Christ to overcome it.
    A resurrected life opens the doors wide, so we can step into each moment with confidence, love, hope and promise that come from Jesus. Are you feeling like you’re in the grave of hopelessness, discouragement or disappointment? Turn to Jesus. This Lenten season, use 40 days to focus on his life-giving power. Read the gospels. Receive the Spirit’s good grace to know Christ has resurrected you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus’ resurrection is for you to be alive in him.