Week of August 11

The Psalmist writes, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all. (Psalm 34:19). John writes, “So, when he [Jesus] heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was” (5:6). One wonders if the passages conflict, and if there are times when God does not care for us in our sufferings. Here are the facts: Lazarus is ill, Jesus knows it, He lingers two more days before traveling to Bethany where Lazarus and his two sisters lived, and His friend dies in the meantime. It is important to state that Jesus loved that family (11:3, 5)! The circumstances beg the question about whether Jesus can deliver people out of trouble. The short answer is “Yes.” Nevertheless, the great paradox between a seemingly needless death and the claim to love is erased when we recognize that we live, even though we may die, when we are alive “in Christ” (11:25-26). Let’s examine this thesis today.

First, the text tells us that Jesus loved this family. John uses a continual verb tense that means the Savior’s love (agape) was not flippant, but full and lasting. I cannot help but be filled with joy to know that God loves us with a real love, when I read statements like this one. He is not distant, nor is He uncaring. You may be faced with a life-threatening illness and, if so, I suggest writing, “Now, Jesus loved” on a 3 x 5 card and reading it several times each day.

Secondly, Jesus knew the faith of that family, so their trial testified to God’s power in times of great struggle (cf. 11:4; “this illness does not lead to death”; 11:21-24). God knows the burdens we bear, so His delay never spells a “dead end.” Nothing we face catches God off guard or diverts Him from His redemptive purposes. How do I know this to be true?

Let’s take a step back and view this scene from the wider purposes of John’s Gospel. This final sign in what has been termed the “five festival segments” in the book is perhaps the most dramatic (cf. 5:8-9; 6:1-12, 19-21; 9:6-9; 11:43-44; NAC). John has shown us through these events the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. The raising of Lazarus not only forced the issue of His divine power with His opponents, but also foreshadowed the final sign of the resurrection. Look again at who loves you. Nothing, and no one, will deter the Divine Savior from showing God’s love to our lost and dying world. Consider how He shows you His love every day, not just in your crisis.

Jesus turned water to wine (2:11), which signaled that God was bringing something new. He then shows us that He has power over acute sickness (4:51-53) and chronic paralysis (5:7-9). He also feeds the multitudes, showing His power over physical hunger (6:10-13), then immediately shows His power over nature by calming a storm (6:18-21). If this were not enough to remind us of the depth and width of His love for us, then He takes pity on a blind man and gives him sight (9:18-19). And were all of this not enough, He shows us His love that even conquers the grave (11:43-44)! We may praise God with every fiber of our beings and cry aloud what Paul wrote in Romans: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?!” (Romans 8:35). The answer is “No one!” So, be hope-filled this day.

A saintly woman endured a debilitating illness for several years and died in recent days. She had been a godly wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a faithful Christian servant throughout her lifetime. I am certain that the prayers of many family members and Christian friends had been lifted in her behalf, but she died. We may reason, from one perspective, that “Jesus lingered.” Some may even ask, “Why didn’t God intervene and heal her?”

I am unable to answer the “Why?” question, but I do know that “Love in flesh” is God’s response (John 1:14, 3:16). My previous statement may seem to be too meme-worthy when these circumstances are still overwhelming, and the emotions are so raw. However, I recall that Caiaphas, the High Priest, demonstrates his “cynicism and duplicity” by recommending that innocent Jesus be eliminated (11:50). Political expediency may have seemed to have won the day, but John saw in that man’s words a prophetic statement concerning Jesus’ sacrificial death. Even as those sinister people were plotting how to hold onto power, God was planning to unleash His mighty arm at the cross and empty tomb. Death and evil cannot win the day because they have been defeated (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Jesus’ death and resurrection offer us the fullness of “God is love.”

1. Write down the big questions you wondered about following some catastrophe in your life or in our world. Hand them in trust to God. Seek His answers to your questions. Trust Him.

2. I still believe, despite all the horrible evil that engulfs our world, that Christ’s love has conquered it, and love prevails. Recommit your church fellowship to be centers where love washes over the hurt that people bring there. 

3. For Families: After their brother died, Jesus shows Mary and Martha that He loves them as His plans unfold. He came in His perfect timing, walked into their midst to comfort them, raised Lazarus, and assured them of His love. He did what no one else could do.

When our family members or friends die, our children grieve along with the whole family, and often at very deep levels. They need extra tender care to match their different ages and stages of development. If your family has undergone the loss of a loved one, make sure the children know that God loves them, and to expect His presence to be with your family in supernatural strength. Watch for things only He can do.

God’s power is on display when His children are hurting. In times like these, a scripture verse tucked into the lunch pail or sent by text, an extra hug or special drive with Mom or Dad to get ice cream or coffee and be alone together, time spent playing a game or working a puzzle, all help to tighten family bonds that reinforce God’s love in action. Jesus loves us. We can trust that when death comes to our homes, He will fill all of the spaces with His care and compassion and love.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock