Turn Death into Life

Dealing the pain of expectant death

Jesus was told of Lazarus’ illness. The message came with hope that Jesus could heal the man who was ill.

John 11:3 NLT

3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

John 11:3

We have hope in Jesus

Jesus is hope and brings hope. Martha and Mary had hope in Jesus and look to Jesus for hope in their ill brother. We can follow Mary and Martha’s lead and place our hope in Jesus as well. In times when we see that things are beyond our control we can turn to the one who can make a difference in our life.

God’s way is different than our way.

God’s plans for us is often times beyond our understanding. Lazarus illness though a hardship to his sisters has a greater purpose than they understood.

John 11:4 NLT

4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

John 11:4

So What does giving God the glory mean?

Glory of the Lord expresses his radiance and the wonder of his presence.

Israel saw the glory of the Lord rest on the mountain like a consuming fire.

Exodus

Exodus 24:16–17 NLT

16 And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. 17 To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.

Exodus 24:16 NLT

16 And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud.

Jesus reflects God’s glory.

John 1:14 NLT

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

So Jesus knows what is good for us as he is God.

God’s glory is good and reveals us the power of his salvation.

We can stand before the Lord and his glory.

God’s glory in our story

Those who know the Lazarus story know that after the pain comes the glory. So let us fast forward to the pain of death. The illness did lead to death as Jesus said.

John 11:17 NLT

17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.

John 11:17

We have to be willing to endure the pain as we trust in the Lord.

The funeral has taken place. Mourning is still taken place. In dealing with the pain the range of emotions in dealing with grief. Acceptance is hard time to accept when things are hurtful. She is not accepting the loss of her brother. She points out that if Jesus was there this loss would not have happen.

John 11:20-

John 11:20–22 NLT

20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

In trusting Jesus she knows he posses the power of healing. She believed that while her brother was still a live and ill Jesus could have healed him. She is not fully understanding the limit of Jesus power. The glory of God involves showing the limitless power of God!

Jesus teaches of his power of resurrection

Jesus gives hope to Martha as she faces this pain. Martha’s limited understanding of Jesus leads her to feel loss and hurt because of the loss of her brother. Jesus speaks of resurrection and she still is not fully understanding Jesus. Jesus speaks this great truth to her:

Martha’s limited understanding of Jesus leads her to feel loss and hurt because of the loss of her brother. Jesus speaks of resurrection and she still is not fully understanding Jesus.

John 11:23-25

John 11:23–26 NLT

23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

John 11:23–25 NLT

23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

From death to Life, the Glory!

Jesus is dealing with doubt, and the pain of the people still looks to point to the glory of the Father. The doubt is expressed:

John 11:

John 11:37 NLT

37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

Jo

God’s glory will be shown even in darkness

Even in the midst of doubters Jesus shows how the power of God prevails.

John 11:40–45 NLT

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” 45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.

John 11:40

Jesus shows us the glory of God in this great act.

Power comes from God, and Jesus demonstrates this in prayer ().

Jesus shows the power of his word, “Lazarus, come out!”

Jesus proves he is the resurrection and the Life!