Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead

I. John 11:1-45
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.  Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world.  But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them."

After saying this, he told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him."  The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right." Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.  For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.  Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world." When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him.

 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.  The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"  But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

II. Thoughts to ponder –

·         Has there been a time in your life in which you lost someone you loved greatly? Use this time to thank God for this person.  Reflect on the positive ways that this person influenced you and how you are a better person because of your relationship with this person.

·         Jesus wept at the sorrow of Mary and Martha. If you are still grieving the loss of your loved one, ask God for his continuing comfort and healing. If you have been able to heal and move on, pray for a way to be a comfort for those around you who have lost another, or are suffering in some way.

·         Martha and Mary had enough faith in Jesus to realize that he was the Messiah but did not have a full understanding of who Jesus was. Pray for a new and fresh understanding of who Jesus is.

·         Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived in the town of Bethany, which means house of dates. Whenever you see or eat a date, remember that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in him, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in him will never die.

III. Prayer from the Revised Common Lectionary –

God of all consolation and compassion,
your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary;
your breath alone brings life to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may face despair and death
with the hope of resurrection and faith in the One
who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen.

Long Awaited Joy

Psalm 126
126:5 - May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.

This psalm was written after 538 BC when the Jewish exiles returned to their homeland after being in captivity for over a generation. Prophets had promised them that God would bring them back to their homeland, but after so many years of waiting it was hard to have faith that God would keep his promise. When they heard the good news that they were being allowed to return home, they were overwhelmed with joy.

In the same way that the Jews had to wait for God’s promise of deliverance from physical captivity, they also had to wait for deliverance from spiritual captivity. That deliverance came in the form of Jesus the Messiah, who came to set his people free from the hold of sin and death.  But once he came, those who believed in him,  then and now, have the joy of knowing freedom from sin and death.

One of my favorite Advent carols is Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus. It expresses well the joy finding one’s spiritual rest in Jesus.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

 Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

 Born they people to deliver, born a child and yet a king, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne. – by Charles Wesley

Long Lasting Joy

John 1:1-5, 14 – 18
1: 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

This verse describes an important belief in Christianity which is the Incarnation. Christians believe that God  the Son  took human form as Jesus. He did this so that he could have a relationship with his people.

This phrase “dwelt among us” literally means to live in a tabernacle or tent among us. This reminds me of the previous times God had tried to live amongst his people. When the Hebrews left Egypt, they constructed a tabernacle for God to exist in a small capacity amongst his people (the story of the Tabernacle begins in Exodus 25). Later, after they had settled permanently in Israel, King Solomon built a Temple to replace the Tabernacle. God (represented by his Cloud of Glory) resided in these sanctuaries so that he could be with his people, but it was not enough because there was always a reminder that God was too high and lofty above us. When Jesus, God’s Son, came instead and in the form of a human, it created a different relationship. God is now one of us, one who can sympathize with our weaknesses and struggles. By being one of us, he could show us grace and truth.  When we receive God’s grace and truth, we experience his joy. This is the source of lasting joy during the holiday season and all year long.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World. It expresses well the joy of all of God’s creation when God the Son came to dwell with his creation, not just in a Tabernacle or tent, but as one of us.

Joy to the World! The Lord is come: let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.  

Joy to the Earth! The Savior reigns: Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.  

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.  

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love. – by Isaac Watts.

Deliverance

Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

A part of learning to trust in God and become fully dependent on God is to no longer trust in our own ability to protect ourselves but in God. I know for our own nation, we have a tendancy to trust in our military to protect us. But really, to be fully protected from our enemies, we as a nation need to be more dependent upon God and follow his will. The Israelites had to learn and relearn that lesson. When they trusted God, they had peace. When they disobeyed God, they had war and discord.

I especially like Judges chapter 7 in which God shows Gideon and his people that it is the Lord whom we need to trust in, not in the number of warriors.
Verses 2 - 8 say

" The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others...."

So, when looking at your problem and the little ability and strength that you have, look instead at how big your God is and rely on him for deliverance.

Blessed Ash Wednesday

 Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:12, 13
Today is Ash Wednesday. To learn more about its history and observances click on this link.

The Bible readings that are read during Ash Wednesday services reflect the themes of fasting, repentance and reconciliation with God. See this link for the entire verses written out.

1.  Psalm 51 – this is a perfect prayer for those who need to confess and repent their sins. David wrote this prayer after he committed adultery.

2.  2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:10 - After repentance comes reconciliation.

a.  Vv. 20 Paul says “We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

b.  The reason why this reconciliation is possible is because as vv 21 says “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus suffered, died and rose from the grave so that we can be reconciled with God and each other.

3.  Isaiah 58:1 – 12 refers to the type of fast that is pleasing to God.

a.  No simple fasts but " to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

b.  Suggestion – this lent, not so much to give up simple things like soda or candy but to add things as well such as

                                         i.    Ears that listen – to God and others

                                       ii.    Eyes that seek to find others who suffer

                                     iii.    Hands that are willing to help others more

                                     iv.    Heart that is filled with God’s Love and Spirit which then will overflow with his love for others.

Transfiguration Sunday

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.  Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.  But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9 See also Glory of the Lord with Moses and Peter's memory of the Transfiguration

This passage reminds me of one Sunday in a church I used to attend. The services had been very special to me with God's presence always evident. One Sunday during the pastoral prayer, I forget why I did this but I peeked my eyes open to see if others were as moved as I was during the service. But, I couldn't see anyone. I only saw a white Cloud. I was surprised and thought maybe I have something in my eyes. So, I closed them, rubbed them and opened them up again - the white cloud was everywhere. I couldn't have told you what the rest of the service was like because I spent my entire time arguing with myself - was that really God's Shekhinah, his Cloud of Glory I was seeing or was it a new migraine aura [you wouldn't believe some of the strange things migraineurs smell and hear just before they get a migraine]? Finally my answer came at the end of the service when the lady sitting next to me sighed and said, "God was here, I have seen his Cloud." HOLY COW! I wasn't crazy afterall!

But then I had another shock when a second woman behind me said "humphf! He preached past noon again." That was it. THAT was all she got out of the service. How could woman #1 and I have seen God's Cloud while woman #2 only saw the minute hand past noon? I walked around the sanctuary and heard other similiar negative statements which left me confused. Why didn't they see the Cloud, too? When queried, the first woman's response was "that's because there is a lot of dead wood in this place."

That moment left an impression on me that has lasted to this day. God is very willing to be seen by people, but are we desperate enough to want to see him? Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." The people who were not seeking God that day in church, never saw him. And I can understand why...afterall, why bother showing yourself to people who aren't interested in seeing you in the first place? But to those who came seeking and desperately needing to be with God that day, he revealed himself in a way that will never be forgotten.

Today, being Transfiguration Sunday, I sat in church and thought about the signifance of what Peter and then I later saw. I realized that something spiritually significant didn't only occur when Jesus' appearance changed that day, or when the interior of the sanctuary in my church changed. It also occured by the change in Peter's heart & spritual perspective as well as mine.

Thinking how Peter and I were changed about our experience, it made sense to celebrate the Transfiguration before we head into Lent, Easter and Pentecost. Easter is when we celebrate Jesus' power over sin and death through the Ressurection. Jesus came to forever transform us into Christlike disciples. He came to change all of us into people freed from the power of sin and death. We no longer have to live in bondage!

As I thought about all that God can do, my spiritual eyes started to see not just more 'transfigurations' but transformation around me. I saw increasing hope, faith, love around me. I saw beginnings of desperation for God in people around me and a real sensitivity to the move of the Spirit. As he did with me today, ask God to change and transform your heart as well as open your eyes to see how he is working in the lives of others. What better way is there to enter this season of Lent, Easter and Pentecost?

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 NRSV

The whole passage for today is 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:10. This passage has two main thoughts - suffering for Jesus and our hope for our heavenly home. The verse above lands in the middle of these two themes.

Grace as defined by the Blue Letter Bible means "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." Paul in this verse was saying that all the sufferings that he endured as a Christian, as a witness to the good news of Jesus Christ, as a missionary to those who had never heard about God's grace and mercy where worth it because it meant that more and more people were experiencing God's grace for themselves. Because they were experiencing God's grace, they were experiencing mercy, forgiveness, holy love, kindness, fellowship with God and other believers, wholeness and healing. For their sakes, Paul was willing to do what it takes. 

Besides having the grace & strength to live this life as a faithful follower of Jesus, God's grace will be available for us after death. Verse 14 says "we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. (NRSV)" God's grace goes before us to save us from our sins ['the power of death'], helps us remain faithful and enabled to do the works of God and will bring us into God's presence after death.

This verse caught my eye yesterday as I prayed for someone to know God's grace in a bigger, more powerful way. And as I wrote the above devotional, I remembered a former pastor's spouse who was known for her many hours of praying daily for the salvation of her son. Her dedication paid off and she was able to see her son return to the faith he had as a child. [Although, this is no guarantee that all whom we pray for will turn to God. He gives us free will to choose Christ or reject him. But it does mean that the person or persons for whom we pray will have a greater desire to turn to God for salvation. ]

When praying for the salvation or situation of someone you know who needs to experience God's grace [for the first time or in more abundance], ask God for the grace to pray and with the dedication needed.