This message was preached at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh on the Sunday following Dr. Holmes' mother's massive stroke, and five days before she died.
When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
In front of this textual sentence stands a great affirmation that has something to say to our compulsive generation: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." At the very heart and foundation of everything that enters our lives, however dark or ominous it seems, stands the unchanging love of God's Son, the Lord of the cross, Jesus Christ. That is not jump up and click your heels news, but it is the best news in any situation.
"The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" (
Hebrews 12:6). Discipline is seldom fun. Sometimes it comes in the form of love that lingers, as it did here.
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His Lingering Love Permits Pain
Our culture promotes pain avoidance. Dozens of advertisements tell us we can live without suffering. That is a myth because it is built upon a false hypothesis. The Bible says that suffering is as normal a part of human existence as breathing. Job, Scripture's oldest book, describes life as being, "Of few days and full of woe" (
Job 14:1). Jesus promises, "In this world you will have trouble." We would all be discouraged except that He adds, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." (
John 16:33).
Suffering deepens our dependence on Christ for strength and teaches us that He is worthy of our trust. J. I. Packer describes pain and suffering as, "God's chisel for sculpting our lives." The Bible never says our lives can be pain free. Paul learned from his agitating thorn that Christ's strength is perfected in our weaknesses. Character is developed through suffering.
Two days ago I left my mother's hospital bedside in Ireland to fly across the Atlantic to bring you this message today. Even though I left with her blessing -- she was able to nod her approval to my leaving to be with you -- I can tell you that I never before in my live felt a magnetic pull like I felt before I left that hospital room. I know more than ever before about the love of Christ that sometimes lingers.
Mother suffered a massive stroke on Wednesday morning. It is not likely that I shall see her again this side of heaven. Out of the deepest resources of my soul I must tell you today for Christ's sake that when God does not respond immediately to our cries in pain it is not because He does not love us, but precisely because He does love us and wants to accomplish some growing purpose in our lives. Mind you, I am all too aware that it is easier to say this when we are not conscious of any particularly painful experience in the present tense. While Lazarus was in good health, no one came running to Jesus from Bethany.