Resurrection

Fellow Traveler,

The heart of God is revealed in countless ways in Scripture. One of the most endearing is in John chapter 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was a brother to Mary and Martha of Bethany, which was just a few miles north of Jerusalem. This little family was loved by the Lord, and He visited their home a number of times. The events unfolded dramatically as Jesus is told that Lazarus is sick but waits two days before going to Bethany. The brother of Mary and Martha was in the grave for four days when Jesus arrives. The sisters are grief stricken and wonder why the Lord didn’t arrive sooner, knowing He could have healed their brother. But Jesus’ plan was far more glorious – He would raise this man from the dead. 
[Martha said,] “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.” And Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
 
[In a few minutes, Mary came and said,] “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. The the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” [In a few more minutes, Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead to the glory of God.]

The day before yesterday our next door neighbor, Alma, died from cancer. She was diagnosed in November. She and Gabriel have two sons who are in their 20’s. She was in her 40’s. I talked to one of her brothers yesterday. There is peace in the family because there is great hope in God’s promised resurrection. Alma was a believer – one who loved Jesus as her Lord and Savior – one who knew that she would rise again on the last day. One who knew that the moment her spirit left her body, she would see her Savior and rejoice in His presence. We grieve with the family, but know that Alma is at home in heaven.

What a loving God we serve! Give Him glory, praise and thanks this day that even in grief, we can be comforted with the words of Jesus: “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

Old Davy