Things I Learned From a Dead Man

This message is based on John 11:21-46. The Resurrection of Lazarus.

Background: Jesus receives word that His friend, Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha (who also significantly appear elsewhere in the Bible), is sick and dying. Jesus purposefully waits two days before going to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. He arrives with His desciples to find that not only did Lazarus die, but he has been in a tomb for four days.

Message: Mary and Martha see Jesus coming in the distance and come running. Very upset at Him, since they know He is God and could have healed their brother, Mary and Martha attempt to chastise Jesus through their grieving tears. Jesus wept as well.

This is interesting for two reasons: 1) Jesus, fully knowing Jewish customs, waiting an extra long time, knowing that the Jews believed that a dead person could come alive again after 3 days, but no longer. So he came after 4 days, where all the Jews would believe that there was no hope in "awakening" Lazarus. 2) Jesus wept tears of compassion, not surprise. Both of these points are interesting because they occur for the same reason: Jesus, in all his omniscience, glorified God more by acting contrary to the way one would expect to act. He gave the glory to God by immortalizing this situation in His Word, by doing the impossible, by giving hope to others who have impossible obstacles. By showing the world beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is more powerful and is capable of anything. And he glorified God by showing God's compassionate side, by showing Martha, Mary and the whole world that He not only cares for us, but He weeps when we despair.

Application: What can be taught from this little-but-powerful story? It is this: It's never too late. Nothing is beyond God. Beloved, are you struggling right now? Are you mired in an addiction to drugs? Alcohol? A sexual addiction? Lying? Cheating? Gambling? Are you in a damaged relationship? Experiencing financial ruin? Not to make light of any of these things - these are all situations that destroy lives daily and we are hopeless in overcoming them ourselves. But God can help us. He said He has overcome the world. And He can overcome your obstacle.

You may say to me, "That's fine and dandy for someone else, but I am beyond saving. I've hurt too many people, told too many lies, slept with too many men..." and so on. Or you may say, "Mike, I've commited murder," or "I've had an abortion, God cannot possibly love me after doing all these horrible things. It's too late for me."

It's not. It never is. It never will be. That is Satan's lie.

Who parted the Red Sea when the Isrealites were being hunted by the Egyptians? Who delivered the entire Midianite army of thousands into Gideon's hand with a mere 300 men? Who saved Daniel from the lion's den? Who made a once-powerful ruler Nebuchadnezzer eat grass like a beast? God did all these things. God is the answer. The same answer to "who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

He did all these impossible things to deliver His chosen people, the people of Israel. And He died on the cross to deliver the impossibly lost, the impossibly afraid, the impossibly hopeless people out of eternal damnation. And we Christians are now His chosen people. And He delights in us. It's not too late.

Invitation: So won't you come to the foot of the cross? Won't you say, "Lord, I cannot do it on my own any more. I need your help. Your strength. Your wisdom. Your forgiveness." And He will freely give it to you. All you have to do is confess that you are a sinner and admit that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for your sins so that you can spend eternity in heaven. Search your heart for the truth and know that He is our God. Amen.