Reading:
John 11:1-16
"This illness does not lead to death."
Lazarus has a special place in the heart of Jesus. He was one whom it specifically mentions that Jesus loved. Jesus was also very close with Mary and Martha. So when Lazarus became ill, it would be perfectly expected of Mary and Martha that they would call for Jesus. However, in this situation, Jesus did not just immediately respond. Instead He waits a few days and then goes to see them.
Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus has died. But He tells them that this has occurred so that He can show forth the glory of God and that He may be glorified in it. Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead again and that this was just a temporary "falling asleep". Jesus is preparing to shine the light of His divinity on this situation and show that He is the resurrection and the life.
Lazarus' illness, may have only led to a temporary death for him. But we have a problem called sin. Sin leads to eternal death. It causes us to be separated from God and nothing that WE do can ever bring us back into a right relationship with Him. We fall short every day of what God intended us to be. You know the Law and feel it's bite everytime you make a mistake and miss the mark. You know that you are not in a right standing with God.
But there is Good News. This sin illness does not have to make us die and eternal death. Jesus Christ came to live among us so that He could give Himself up for us. This means that Jesus Christ is the perfect God Man. He took all of the sin of the world upon Himself and He nailed it to the Cross of Calvary where He spilled His precious blood to cover them all. This is your hope that Jesus who laid down His life and then took it back up on Easter morning is your righteousness. He is the one that stands blameless before the Father and pleads for us. "Lord forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus is your way to Heaven. He is the one that lights the way. He is the one that promises that death no longer has a hold on you. He has given you a free gift, it is yours without ever having asked for it. May you hear the Word of God that you are saved on account of Jesus Christ alone and trust in Him for your salvation. Amen.
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