God, Where Are You? - Resurrecting Hope, part 3
Ever wondered, “God, where are you?” This message helps us understand that the power of God is revealed in our difficult situations. It is the “in-between times” when faith grows, and God brings life to the dead.
In the midst of a loved one’s death, Jesus was told, “if you had been here [a tragedy would have been avoided]”. God has a plan and purpose that is far beyond what we know. God is still working even if you do not see him working. God knows what he’s doing. You won’t go through anything alone. He cares for you. Allow the miracle of resurrection hope in Christ to free you.
Easter is the reminder that because Jesus is alive, we have hope. This four-part Easter series is about the hope we have in Christ. It will be encouraging and will help you overcome life’s greatest challenges. The resurrection of Jesus Christ instills hope in the face of life’s trials. Easter is a reminder that you live day in and day out with power that can overcome any challenge. In our darkest days, it gives us light. In overwhelming discouragement, it gives us faith. In the midst of devastating loss, it gives us joy. In times of divisiveness, it gives us something that unifies us. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and that gives us hope!
God has a plan and purpose beyond our understanding.
God, if only you would have been here things would be better
This is the story of Lazarus; a story of Mary and Martha and their struggle with sorrow and pain.
The message of the gospel is a message of resurrection hope. It is a message of God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy, and God’s love for you and for all who will believe. It is a story of the power and presence of Christ in your life. Know beyond any doubt, you are not alone. You are loved with an everlasting love. You are loved so much that, regardless of your love for God or your good deeds, God sent his son as a sacrifice for your sins (1 John 4:10).
‘God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”’ (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV).
This is next part of a four-part message titled Resurrecting Hope, Part 3: If You Would Have Been Here.
John 11 tells the story of Lazarus being sick and dying. Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters, send for Jesus. But Jesus doesn’t go to them right away, instead Jesus waits several days. When Jesus does arrive, Lazarus is already dead and placed in a tomb four days prior.
Both Martha and Mary say these words to Jesus, “If you would have been here, my brother would not have died.” How those words must have hurt Jesus deeply. Jesus knew the pain and sorrow that both Martha and Mary felt regarding their brother’s sickness and death. He also knew the sorrow of the people who knew Lazarus.
It is in this story that we learn the power of God over death. Jesus performs a miracle and raises Lazarus from the dead after four days.
It is in the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead that we learn God has a plan and purpose that is far beyond what we know, see, or desire in the present. A plan and purpose to reveal his power and glory, that provides opportunity of hope and faith and that leads to a deeper spiritual understanding in Christ the Lord.
This event is a foreshadowing of what happened to Jesus during his resurrection, and what will happen with all of us who place our faith and hope in Jesus: to be raised by the power of God from the curse of sin and spiritual death. This is resurrection hope. Going from a life of hopelessness and sorrow to having joy and a deeper spiritual knowledge in Christ the Lord.
At times you may think, if only you would have been here Lord. God, if only you would have stepped in and stopped it. The truth is, we only see the situation and not the purpose or spiritual answer that God is working out on our behalf. We can have tunnel vision regarding our situation and life and we do not see the entire picture of what the Lord is wanting to do in our situation. We do not see all the twists and turns of the situation from beginning to end.
It is between the beginning and the end of Lazarus’ sickness and death that Martha’s and Mary’s faith in Christ is tested. It is the in-between times when we need faith and when faith grows as we experience the power of God in our situation. The same is true regarding our faith in Christ. Our faith is tested, strengthened, and grows between the start and end of a trying situation.
When your heart is broken, the Lord’s heart is also broken. Jesus knows personally of your pain and sorrow. Jesus felt the sorrow that both Mary and Martha were experiencing regarding the loss of their brother. Jesus wept as well.
Know beyond any doubt, that whatever you may be experiencing, God is still working even if you do not see him working at the moment. Believe and know God is working, even in the midst of your sorrow, pain and loss. Allow resurrection hope to fill your heart today and every day.
The first week of this series we learned of resurrection hope in Jesus through Mary’s discovery of Jesus’ resurrection. Last week we saw how we can restore relationship with Christ through the love of Christ as Peter did. In both situations Jesus made the first step. Today, we find that resurrection hope can speak life into our sorrow. In times of deep sorrow, you are not alone. Understand, when you are confused as to why something occurred, Jesus is not confused. When you do not understand why things are going as they are, trust him. Jesus knows what he is doing. Jesus is never late. He is never early. Jesus is always on time.
The story of Lazarus’ sickness and death is filled with sorrow, yet out of his sisters’ sorrow and pain comes unwavering faith in Christ, and it is God who receives all the glory.
‘Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”’ (John 11:1-7).
The power of God is revealed in this situation as Jesus calls Lazarus to life from the dead and God receives glory. Jesus’ delay in going to Martha and Mary has a purpose. It was not a mistake; it did not contribute to Lazarus’ death; it was not to cause Mary or Martha any undue sorrow or pain. Most likely, Lazarus was already dead when Jesus was told of Lazarus’ sickness according to the timetable of Lazarus having been placed in the tomb four days earlier. All this occurred leading up to the time when Jesus would be resurrected from the dead.
Jesus Sees the Bigger Picture
Can you think of a time that you prayed for Jesus to show himself strong and nothing appeared to happen? The heavens seemed quiet. It could have been a time when you needed Jesus to show up during a sickness, after a shocking diagnosis from a doctor, when you heard of a loved one needing to go in for surgery, after a big accident, or right now with all the pain, suffering and dying that is happening in the Ukraine. You pray for Jesus to step in and to turn the situation around. But, for some reason, nothing appears to happen. You do not recognize Jesus’ presence and you begin to think, Lord if you would have been here, none of this would have happened.
Friends, Jesus’ presence is not a promise or some kind of prevention where awful things will not happen in your life. Paul and Silas suffered in prison, but they were not alone. What you think should happen, or what you think Jesus should do, may not be the will of God. What you desire may not be what is best. God may have another plan. That may sound harsh, but God knows what he is doing. He knows what is best, even if we think otherwise. God doesn’t promise that you will escape sorrow, sickness, or pain. His promise is that you won’t go through it alone. He is with you as you walk through that dark valley of the shadow of death (see Psalm 23). Jesus doesn’t promise life will be easy or that you will not experience sorrow, pain, or physical death.
The fact of the matter is, our timing is not God’s timing. What we want doesn’t always line up with God’s plan. God is all powerful, all knowing and ever present. Jesus hears your prayer; however, the answer is not always what you may want to hear. Jesus will answer your prayer. Jesus responded to Martha and Mary, but not according to their plans. At times, the answer might be yes to your prayer. Other times, the answer might be no as your prayer seems to go unanswered. And still other times, the answer might be not yet when he’s saying trust me, it’s not time, or simply wait.
‘On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”’ (John 11:17-32).
Jesus Is Not Afraid of Your Feelings
Mary and Martha were emotionally in different places. Martha ran to Jesus, Mary waited. Yet they both spoke the same words to Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Martha appeared to be sure in her faith. She was outwardly confident that Jesus is the son of God. Martha believed in the resurrection. She was a believer but she also believed that if Jesus had come sooner, her brother might not have died. The pain and sorrow could have been avoided. Martha’s desire seemed much more important to her than the plan, purpose and timing of God.
Mary was not as open. Mary was a bit quieter, more emotionally hurt and emotionally vulnerable than her sister. Mary was handling the sorrow and pain differently from Martha. Jesus didn’t speak with Mary, instead he was deeply moved in his spirit.
Jesus responded to Mary differently than he did to Martha. He did so out of love and concern for Mary.
Mary and Martha were confused and in anguish. They both had hoped that Jesus would come to turn things around, but then they lost hope. Their brother lay dead. Jesus didn’t get frustrated or angry with their responses. Jesus was not offended. Instead, Jesus’ response was to comfort them and respond to both of them differently. Jesus knew exactly where they were spiritually and emotionally. Jesus reminded them both that for those who place their faith, hope and trust in Christ, physical death is not the end.
Allow me to encourage you to talk with Jesus about your heart. Tell him how you feel. Be open and vulnerable before him. He is loving and faithful. He cares for you.
‘When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept’ (John 11:33-35).
You need to know that when you hurt, he hurts. When you weep, he weeps. Jesus understands your pain and suffering and when your heart breaks, his heart breaks. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and helps those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He heals those who are broken and tends to their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
We live in a world that is burdened with sickness, disappointment and heartbreaks. However, we have a God who loves us and is closer than a brother. Jesus knows the pain and sorrow of life and will bring healing to your soul.
‘Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him’ (John 11:38-45).
Jesus asked for the stone to be moved. Martha was concerned that the tomb was going to be opened; the stench of death would fill the air. Yet Jesus said to remove the stone. It’s only after the stone was removed that Jesus called out Lazarus’ name and Lazarus, by the power of God, walked out of the tomb alive.
The stone needed to be removed for the miracle and power of God to be witnessed by Martha, Mary and the crowd that had gathered. Listen, the stone could not have prevented the miracle. The power of God is greater than any obstacle, even that of a heavy stone.
I believe before we can experience healing or deliverance, the obstacle—the pain or lack of faith that is blocking the entrance to our hearts—needs to be removed. We need to give Jesus access to our hearts, pain and hurt. We need to be willing for the smell of our sin be aired out before God. Only then can the sickness and curse of sin be destroyed and healed. A physical infection needs to be opened and drained before healing can occur. In much the same way, the hardness of heart needs to be opened and removed.
True spiritual healing and spiritual victory over sin and death will happen when we are spiritually vulnerable and allow Jesus to access our hearts. We must allow the Holy Spirit access to our hearts and to uncover sin. You may not smell the spiritual deadness but it is real for those who do not know Jesus as Lord and savior. You may be afraid to roll away the stone and think it’s too late for Jesus to help. It’s not too late, give Jesus access to whatever is bothering you today.
The power of God brings life to the dead. Call out to Jesus in faith. Open your heart, remove the stone and allow resurrection hope. Allow Jesus, the resurrected savior, to speak life and faith where deadness, hopelessness, sorrow, and unforgiveness, resides. Jesus reminds Martha, and us today, that faith is the key to resurrection hope. Faith to remove the stone. It is only by faith that we will see and experience the glory of God and forgiveness of sin. The miracle of Lazarus’ healing is only by the power and presence of Jesus.
Jesus Brings Dead Things to Life
Jesus prays to God and calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Let me read verse 42 again: “I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." Like Jesus, know your prayers are heard. Lazarus is miraculously resurrected from the dead. Lazarus exits the tomb still wrapped in his grave linens. The power of God is revealed and God alone receives the glory.
We need to give Jesus access to the dead areas of our hearts, our relationships and life’s dreams. Let Jesus speak life to those spiritually dead areas of your heart and life. Allow the Holy Spirit to call out those areas that you may not even be aware of; the joy and happiness that you once had that may have died can be resurrected. The hurt, pain and suffering caused by sin can be healed in Jesus’ name.
The spiritually lost, and people all around, need to see the resurrection power of dead things being brought back to life, just as the crowd saw Lazarus rise from the dead and exit the tomb. The stone needs to be removed, so the power of God is revealed.
If Jesus had returned sooner, Lazarus might not have died, but Martha, Mary and the crowd never would see the resurrection power of God. Others in the crowd might not have believed Jesus to be the son of God.
Jesus loves you. He weeps with you. You are not alone. Jesus is not ignoring you. Remove whatever may be standing between you and God, the stench of sickness, sin and death. Allow the miracle of resurrection hope in Christ to free you from the curse and bondage of sin and death. Receive spiritual healing and eternal life in Jesus’ name. Remove any negative thoughts like “Lord if you would have been here” and receive resurrection hope today and look forward to Jesus’ soon return.
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