Jesus Made a Mummy

One of the things that makes Christianity different from every other religion (besides being the only true one!) is that our God came to the Earth that we messed up and took on humanity because of how much He loves us. He feels our pain because of his love for us.

Hebrews 4:15 HCSB

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.

I don’t know about you, but there’s not really a shortage of things that cause frustration or disappointment or sadness in my life. All these things are a general and often specific result of sin. So knowing that my Savior has experienced that pain and still hurts with me when I experience it today feels good. To know He loves me enough to enter into that pain with me. And more than that, that He made a way out of it for all of us!

The story we are looking at tonight shows that...

Read , but get students to play the parts as you read it. Make it fun while explaining the story and the details of what happened, so it’s clear when going back to explain their significance.

So what do we see in this story?

God’s plan is bigger than just removing our pain.

In the midst of your difficulties, remember this.

Look at verse four...

14-15...

41-44...

Jesus had a bigger plan and purpose in place.

When I was 13 I went to the dentist after school one day and he told my mom he thought I could use braces to correct my overbite. I remember he put his finger under my lip like this… and whispered something to my mom. I asked her later what it was and he was saying it might fix how far out my lip stuck. You know what Dr. Burgess, maybe your face needs fixed! I’m beautiful!

So a few weeks later I was getting my spacers put it for my braces. It hurt! Then getting the actual braces put in hurt worse! … Then every month for the next year and a half I’d go and have them cranked on and they’d hurt for a few days. All that pain, but I knew there was a bigger purpose.

I’ve got three tattoos. I got one on my shoulder when I was 18. When they went over my shoulder blade it did not feel good! I got this one inside my arm when I was 19. I was laying there in the chair and the guy was about to get started when another artist walked by and said, “getting it on the baby skin!” I said, “this is baby skin?” “Yup” zzzzzzzzz “Aaaahhhhhh!!” I got this third one when I was 30. It’s on a pretty meaty area, plus everything is covered in a nice layer of fat at 30 anyway. But the first two hurt! But I knew there was a bigger purpose for the pain.

God’s greatest goal in this world is that He be glorified. The more He is glorified, the more people see Him and can enjoy him. Nothing will bring joy like God can bring joy.

So if in the midst of that plan we experience a little pain, that’s ok. It’s worth it.

Now God I don’t think is going out of his way to cause you pain, but he’ll allow it to roll into you.

We must not forget in all this that whatever pain He may allow us to feel will ultimately be for our good and seem as nothing when we see God’s complete work!

Romans 8:28 HCSB

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Remember the purpose though, HIS purpose! What is that purpose?

Romans 8:29 HCSB

For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

This is God’s purpose for you, and the reason that He will allow pain in your life.

There are a lot of intricacies to this truth that we don’t have time to take up here. But you need to know this: Put your faith in God for this. Believe his Word.

2 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB

For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

Knowing and understanding these truths help us get through difficult times, but they do not completely remove the pain. But in that pain we know that...

Jesus weeps with us.

Feel his love for you as He feels the hurt you’re in, and we should follow his example.

In the Jewish culture, it was a big deal to join each other in mourning, especially over death. You can see this in verse 31...

There were actually professional mourners. Families would actually hire people to go around with them and weep and wail at a funeral ceremony. Seems pretty goofy! What’s an interview for that like? … Or a group interview? …

But mourning for others is a biblical idea.

Romans 12:15 HCSB

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

tells us to bear one another’s burdens. And Jesus sets the example for us here in this passage.

Look at verses

33-35

38

When his brothers and sisters hurt, He hurts with them.

If you know Him, when you weep He is with you!

I think there’s something interesting that we need to ask about.

It says He is angry a couple time, why?

Sin...

Jesus is angry and hurts for us as a result of the sin that torments us. And the enemy who attacks us. He weeps with us. We must remember that part of biblical community is doing this. You can’t be a good brother or sister in Christ if you never do this!

And you need to be able to point your brothers and sisters forward in their mourning as well. To our final state, when there is no pain.

Jesus will ultimately do away with death and pain for his people.

Look forward to this truth and live in light of it. Put your faith in Jesus!

Revelation 21:4 HCSB

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

Jesus will do these things. Raising Lazarus from the dead is proof that He can. Raising Himself is proof that He can and proof that the Father is pleased. We must put our faith in Him to receive this reward He has for his people.

Look at the way Mary and Martha put their faith in him in verse 32...

And a fuller description about Martha in verses 21-27.

When we believe, we receive life and the promise of everlasting life. We’ll still die on this Earth, but that’s not the final say. It’s only temporary.