Lazarus and God

September 18 2011Before you read this pastor’s note would you please stop right now, get out a Bible, and readJohn chapter 11. You’ll be glad you did.*******************************************************************They were not the only ones who thought it, but they both said it, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21 & 32). Somehow we seem to think God’s physical presence is a kind of insurance against sickness, pain, suffering, and death. The reality was that God knew exactly what was happening to Martha and Mary’s brother Lazarus, he wasn’t uninformed. Nor did he not care; sickness and death are never sign that God doesn’t care. God also does not have to be physically present to intervene in anything that pertains to you and me (John 4:46-53, Matthew 8:8).It is admittedly hard for us to understand, Jesus knew what was going on, yet he waited, he didn’t panic, he wasn’t hurried or worried. We do however, especially when things are a matter of life and death. We are so powerless, so helpless then. “If only God would show up and work a miracle, all would be well,” we think, “All would be back under control and just as it should be.” But Jesus didn’t show, he purposefully delayed, and when he finally arrived “it was too late,” Lazarus’ body was already decaying.We underestimate God, his love, his wisdom, his timing, and his power. We also become easily confused about God. We do so because we rush to conclusions about God based on our view of our circumstances, rather than forming our understanding of God and our circumstances from what he has revealed about himself.Lazarus and his sisters were actually in a great position. They were loved by Jesus. Jesus was their friend. They had a relationship with Jesus. They understood and believed in who Jesus was. But when Lazarus got sick they had no idea that God would reveal much, much more of himself. They, and we, cannot fathom all that God has to show us concerning himself.Paraphrasing Jesus’ conversation with Martha, “Do you trust me?” He asked. “I do,” she replied, “I know that someday we’ll all be in heaven.” “No, do you trust me now? Right here?” Jesus wanted to know.I think Jesus still asks, “Do you trust me right now? Right here? In the midst of all this?” especially when we want to say to God, “If you had only been here then …” And if we trust him there we are about to find out a whole lot more about how glorious God really is.Against their objections Jesus had them roll away the stone covering Lazarus’ tomb. And then they saw a glimpse of the power of God. “Lazarus, come forth.”To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans