A GREATER MIRACLE; RESURRECTION POWER

A Greater Miracle; Resurrection Power

John 11: 14-15 " So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

 Why in the world would Jesus have said, “for your sake I am glad I was not they are,” when He received the news that Lazarus had died. He certainly was not implying He did not care about Lazarus and his family. Jesus loved this family deeply. He had something else in mind when He made the decision not to go to the family when He first heard about Lazarus’ illness (v 6). Jesus is omniscient and he knew what Mary and Martha, Lazarus sisters, needed even though they didn't  He also knew what the disciples needed to see in order to strengthen their faith in Him and in His saving, resurrection power. 

God’s ways are not our ways and God’s ways will always prove to be the best. Even when our prayers are not answered in behalf of a loved one; even when marriages fail and families are torn apart; even when our financial problems cause great pain and loss; there is Hope! And where there is hope there will be praise and glory given to God for the last chapter is yet to be written. It will be written by God. 

When Jesus arrived, the disciples, the family of Lazarus and all the onlookers, thought it was too late. Mary and Martha were disappointed because He had not come quicker. Jesus did what He did to give us the assurance of resurrection power. He showed us in a graphic way that the grave and death is no longer a threat to those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We would not have a record of those wonderful words of comfort He spoke to Mary when He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” We would not have a record of His powerful question to her and to all who follow Christ; a question that should cause each of us to reflect on our faith in His resurrection power, “do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) 

Jesus was testing Mary’s faith. He is testing our faith. Do you believe in His resurrection power? If not, why not? Jesus revealed His power over death and the grave to all who were present that day and it should be just as real for us. Jesus went to the tomb and told the people to remove the stone that sealed the grave and spoke these exciting words of resurrection power: “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43) And Lazarus did as he was commanded. The people saw the glory of God being demonstrated through Jesus Christ, God’s Son. (John 11:40) 

Here’s a new question for reflection: would you rather Jesus answer your prayers the way in which you have prayed or answer them in the way He knows is best?

My dear friends, if Jesus had healed Lazarus when He was miles from him, we would never have known in such a powerful way the power God has over death and the grave. Because of the way in which God answered the prayers of Mary and Martha, we know the grave is not our final destiny. When we draw our last breath on this earth we are responding to the call of God “to come out;” to come out of our bodies, to come out of this world of sin, sickness and death and enter into our eternal home prepared for us by the God who loves us.  We can fully entrust our lives, all that we are, to His love, power and purpose for us. The story of Lazarus is that there is a greater miracle than physical healing. It’s the miracle of the Resurrection! Be encouraged, yes! Be quick to give praise and glory and honor to our Lord. Amen and amen. david