00:00The Gospel of John chapter 11. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that
00:06seemed utterly hopeless? Maybe you prayed and prayed, yet God seemed silent or even
00:14distant. Life's hardest moments often feel like dead ends with no light at the
00:19end of the tunnel. But in the Gospel of John chapter 11, we encounter a story
00:25that flips our expectations, showing that with Jesus, even when it seems too
00:32late, it's never over. The story of Lazarus teaches us not only about
00:37miracles, but about God's character, His timing, and His power to bring life
00:44where death seems to reign. Today, we'll dive into this story, uncovering its
00:50rich layers and timeless lessons that can transform how we see our own
00:55struggles and God's presence in them. Jesus's deep love for His friends.
01:03Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is seriously ill. They send word to Jesus,
01:10expecting Him to come quickly and heal Lazarus, as He had done for so many
01:15others. But instead of rushing to Bethany, Jesus remains where He is for two more
01:21days. His words to the disciples are striking. He says,
01:26This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son
01:33of God may be glorified through it. Now, Jesus's delay wasn't due to
01:39indifference. In fact, it was motivated by a deeper love that sought a greater good,
01:45an opportunity to reveal God's glory in a more profound way. This wasn't just
01:53about healing Lazarus. It was about demonstrating that Jesus has power, even
01:59over death. So, think about this. When God delays in answering your prayers,
02:06remember, His delay is not a denial, but an invitation to deeper faith. Sometimes
02:14God allows circumstances to get worse, so that His power can be more clearly seen.
02:20Trust that His delays are purposeful, aiming to strengthen your faith and
02:25bring glory to God. Jesus's encounter with Martha. I am the resurrection and
02:36the life. So, by the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four
02:42days, long enough for any hope of recovery to vanish in Jewish culture,
02:48where the soul was believed to leave the body by the third day. Martha, filled with
02:54a mix of sorrow and faith, meets Jesus with a lament. Lord, if you had been here,
03:01my brother would not have died. Yet, she also expresses hope, saying, But even now
03:08I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. And Jesus's response
03:16is a profound declaration. He says, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever
03:24believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and
03:31believes in me shall never die. Now, this is more than a statement about the
03:37afterlife. It's a present reality. Jesus is claiming to be the source of all life,
03:45eternal life, that begins the moment we believe in Him. Now, this conversation
03:52invites us to believe in Jesus, not only for the future, but for the present as
03:57well. Jesus is not just the Savior for after we die. He is the one who breathes
04:04life into our dead circumstances, our broken dreams, and our deepest pains. Are
04:11you willing to believe in Him right now, even when life doesn't make sense?
04:19Jesus weeps with Mary, His compassion in our pain. Now, after speaking with Martha,
04:27Jesus is led to Mary, who is also grieving deeply. When he sees her weeping along
04:34with the crowd of mourners, Jesus is moved with deep emotion. Then we read one
04:40of the shortest but most profound verses in the Bible. Jesus wept. Now, this is a
04:49glimpse into the heart of God. Jesus, fully God and fully man, is not immune to
04:56human suffering. He does not rebuke Mary or the mourners for their grief, nor does
05:02he minimize their pain. Instead, he enters into it with them, showing that
05:08God is not distant or indifferent, but deeply compassionate. Now, when you weep,
05:15Jesus weeps with you. He is not detached or stoic, as many may think. He is a God
05:23who understands our suffering and is near to the brokenhearted. In times of
05:29sorrow, let this be a comfort. Jesus cares deeply about your pain, and his
05:35tears reflect his love for you. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the miracle.
05:43As Jesus stands before the tomb, he commands the stone to be rolled away.
05:50Martha, ever practical, is concerned about the smell of decay. Lazarus has been dead
05:57for four days, after all. But Jesus reminds her,
06:01did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? And after
06:08a brief prayer, Jesus calls out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! And miraculously,
06:16Lazarus emerges from the tomb, wrapped in the burial cloths, alive. Now, Jesus's
06:24command to come forth is both literal and symbolic. It demonstrates his
06:30authority over physical death, but it also serves as a metaphor for spiritual
06:35resurrection. Jesus can call forth new life in places that seem dead, whether in
06:42relationships, dreams, or faith. Now, where are the dead places in your life, areas
06:50where hope seems lost? Jesus is calling out to us, inviting us to believe that
06:57nothing is beyond his power to resurrect. Are you willing to roll away the stone
07:03of doubt and allow him to bring new life to what you thought was lost forever? Now,
07:13as we reflect on the story of Lazarus, consider how it relates to your own life.
07:18When God seems distant, or when it feels like he's not answering your prayers,
07:24remember that he may be working out a bigger plan than you can see right now.
07:29His love is not just reactive, it's proactive, aiming for the highest good
07:36and the greatest glory. So, what is your Lazarus? Where in your life do you feel
07:44dead, hopeless, or forgotten? Jesus is asking you the same question he asked
07:51Martha. Do you believe this? Do you believe that he is the resurrection and
07:57the life, not only in eternity, but here and now? Let this story leave a lasting
08:05mark on your heart. With Jesus, dead ends become doorways, delays turn into
08:11displays of glory, and despair can become hope. As you go from here, carry this
08:18thought. God's love is not just seen in his immediate answers, but in his
08:25ultimate victory. Trust him even in the waiting, and believe that he is always
08:31able to bring life where death once reigned. Amen.
08:37It's beautiful, isn't it? Friends, I will be back tomorrow for us to discuss the
08:43Gospel of John, chapter 12. This is the favorite time of every day that I
08:51experience. I love spending time with you, and I can't wait to see you tomorrow.
08:55Take care.
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