Today we get to hear an amazing story of redemption and how God can and does use bad for good to create new things. We saw a glimpse of this as we read the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 and we will get to hear it first hand from Jena M. as she shares her powerful testimony of personal redemption. Please join us today as we ponder what Jesus may want to awaken in each of us.
"Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus .Bethany . . .Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:1-5)
But . . . Jesus knowing all this delayed and Lazarus died. For what purpose did he delay? Jesus reiterates the purpose in vs 15.
"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him." (John 11:15) . . ."Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:20-26)
In verse 25 we see the fifth out of seven "I am" statements in John further emphasizing that no resurrection or eternal life exists outside of the Son of God as He is the source of both.
- Do you believe that Jesus has a resurrecting power strong enough to bring about new creation in you?
- Do you trust that His plan for your life is consistent with His promises?
- Do you trust that in Jesus there is a present life-giving miracle for you like he did for Lazarus?
Let's pick up the story again and read John 11:39-45
"Jesus ssaid, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out bound hand and foot . . .Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had see the things Jesus did, believed in Him."
I don't know about you but thank goodness our Lord does call out to us in a whisper, luring us gently and lovingly but will also make Himself known to us in big, loud ways if we are watching and expecting and most of all believing . . . believing in the power - the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
What's Your Story?
- When Jesus calls us out of death, we get up and walk into a new life. Are you trusting His promises?
- We're called to a spiritual rebirth; a new life in Christ right now. What does that mean to you?
- God is the author and perfector of your faith. Trust him to write your very best story! What's your Redemption Story?
