Impact Week Three

Background

Last week we covered Uzziah, a king of Judah. He was a great man of God and one of a few good kings in Israel’s past. His reign lasted fifty-two (52) years, and during that time, God gave him great military success and victory over some of Israel’s peskier enemies, including the Philistines. Bring that into today’s context, that’s like the Red Sox sticking it to the Yankees. Unfortunately, Uzziah became stuck up and prideful. He ended up coming into the temple and making a sacrifice of incense, a job given only to the Levites who were the priests. After warning Uzziah through the priests, God inflicted him with leprosy and his son had to take over the kingdom. We need to recognize the moments of correction in our lives and respond with repentance.

Fast forward a few thousand years to the New Testament. The book of John doesn’t give a very full account of Jesus life, but it summarizes some of the best parts. At this point, the disciples have been with Jesus for a little less than three years, and Jesus’ death is quickly approaching.

Jesus and his disciples have just escaped a stoning from the people of Jerusalem. Jesus had made the claim that He was God, inciting the public’s anger. So they took off to the other side of the Jordan to put some distance between them, because it wasn’t time for Jesus to give His life. It is here that word reaches Jesus that Lazarus is dying.

Lazarus was the brother of Mary, a woman who had anointed Jesus feet with perfume. This is the same Mary some idiots believe was Jesus’ wife. Utter hogwash. It’s completely unsupported by scripture and any sort of physical evidence of any kind. Some of these losers base that belief on a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Last Supper” which doesn’t even depict Mary at all. They claim that John, who is seated to Jesus’ right (and our left) is really Mary and that this somehow supports the theory. It doesn't even make any sense to say it's Mary, because if it was, where's John? Why would Da Vinci leave out one of the twelve (12) disciples from the table? I haven't bothered to address the other quote evidence because it's not really what we're focusing on.

Anyway, Laz was a close friend of Jesus. So when he dies, Jesus naturally shows up, but it isn’t for his funeral. Let’s read the account.

Reading: John 11:1-45

End

I like this story. It's one of the most moving stories in the life of Jesus. And it depicts the humanity of Jesus quite well.

Imagine for a moment if you will, being Mary or Martha, having sent word days ahead of time that Lazarus, one of Jesus' closest friends, was dying. Now you know that Jesus was more than capable of healing the dude of any ailment, but because Jesus lagged behind, you have to watch your brother die. Heck, put yourself in Lazarus' shoes. You're the best friend of the God of the universe, and you end up dying! People experience this today to a lesser degree, and I say lesser only because Jesus isn't present in physical form in this day and age. But it's maddening trying to figure out God's heart and purpose for the things we go through.

You need to know that in life, we have and always will face great difficulties. It's up to you whether they pull you closer to God or push you further apart.

When I went through this ordeal with Leukemia last year, it would have been easy to become angry with God and lose faith. I'll admit that at times, especially when I was in consistent need of platelets and blood transfusions, I grew very frustrated. My doctors were puzzled that it was taking so long for the transplant to take effect, and frankly, so was I. Guys, I still don't know the full purpose of the past year and a half, but my faith has soared because I know that nothing is too difficult for God, and nothing stands in his way.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)

If you love God and live for Him, your life is being worked out, and God has the best things in mind, regardless of what you've experienced in times past, present, or future.

In Lazarus' case, Jesus allowed him to die before he returned for him. Verses fourteen (14) and forty (40) tell us what was going on in Jesus' head when he decided to wait for his death. And verse forty-five (45) shows the result. The death and particularly the resurrection of Laz caused many people to believe and put their faith in Jesus. And who knows what else was accomplished. I'd be willing to bet that none of those people ever questioned or doubted Jesus' timing again.

When you face life's problems and difficulties, put your faith and trust in the Man who faced them all and worse and never batted an eye. Take your eyes off of the wind and the waves and focus on Him while you walk out the road He's put you on. Communicate with God about your difficulties and know that He will help you face them head on and grow in your faith.

Memory Verse: Romans 8:28