John 11:1-45
In
the hospital my father-in-law went into a coma; medical technology indicated
no brain activity. My godly mother-in-law made the decision to disconnect the
respirator and trust her husband to the hands of the Great Physician. Like many
other families a difficult decision was faced. Each day is a matter of life
and death — facing life and being prepared for death. Do we have the resources
for it?
Mary,
Martha and Lazarus, close friends of Jesus, experienced a life and death moment.
Lazarus became very ill and his sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, behold,
he whom you love is sick” (v.3). They probably thought that message was
enough, and the loving relationship between them would bring an imme-diate response
by Jesus. However, the crisis was an opportunity “for the glory of God,
that the Son of God may be glorified” (v.4). Both life and death must be
surrendered to Jesus for His glory.
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Trust
Jesus in your life (vv. 1-22)
The
message from Mary and Martha indicates their confidence in Jesus. This influential
family had other sources available; they still turned to Jesus. Martha’s
greeting, upon Jesus’ delayed coming, further demonstrates her trust. “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” (vv. 21-22). What is your source
of confidence when the “even now” experiences of life come? Faith
is not just “Forsaking All I Take Him”; faith is also “For All
I Trust Him.”
Life
brings us the grief of “various trials,” so that “the genuineness
of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is
tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Our faithful trust in Jesus when life caves
in brings glory to Christ and influences all those around us. Trust Jesus; trust
His timing; trust His will.
The
disciples questioned the wisdom of Jesus returning to Bethany, where “lately
the Jews sought to stone” Him (v. 8). Jesus’ response (vv.9-10) instructs
us on how to live each day. Seize the moment. Live in the light of God’s
will. Walk by faith. Trust Jesus in your life.
Jesus
once asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
He issued that query after telling a parable encouraging us always “to
pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8). Pray and trust Him to come. We
feel, like Paul, the gradual decay of “our earthly tent” and “groan”
with life’s burdens; nevertheless, “we are always confident…
for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5: 1-7).
