In The Middle

Right now, we are in the middle. We can believe in, hope for, and pray for the end of this season - but nothing seems to change. During this season, we have all experienced loss. Some have experienced the loss of prom or graduation. Dream weddings have been altered. Others have watched their goal of retiring drift away and the reality of having to work longer set in. Some have lost their jobs and financial security. Some have had to cancel family vacations they have been dreaming about for years. Others have had to watch friends and family members die without getting to say goodbye. We don't hope for pain and we don't sign up for loss. But, difficult circumstances and loss happen to us all. 

Through the story of one Jesus's closest friends, Lazarus, we find that tough times can stretch the faith of anyone, even those who knew Jesus best. But, we also learn if we are willing to stay close to Him - we can emerge on the other side with a faith that is even stronger than before.

“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These were not some random people Jesus stumbled upon. They were close friends with Jesus. John even specifies which Mary he's writing about. The message said, the one you love is sick.  This is urgent. This is significant. This is real. 

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”     John‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This can be hard to process. Basically, Jesus is saying when something negative is introduced into your life, God can use the loss and pain for His glory. And in turn, it gives us the opportunity to glorify God and Jesus with our lives.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.    John‬ ‭11:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wait - what? If someone I loved was sick, I would be trying to do everything in my power to stop it and make them better.  Jesus did exactly the opposite of what you would expect him to do. He did nothing for two days! Then, eventually he makes the decision to go back to Judea. 

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”    John‬ ‭11:11-14‬ ‭NIV

The story continues...

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11:17-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Martha is saying what we all say so many times during loss or tough times in our life.

Jesus, where were you when I needed you?

God, how could you let this happen if you are supposed to be so good?

Martha continues... 

"But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” John‬ ‭11:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

She was standing in front of Jesus, broken and angry, but she still believed in His power and authority.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John‬ ‭11:23-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

That's what this moment is really all about. In the emotion of loss, in the confusion, in the middle of hurt and pain, the question is, "Who is Jesus to you?" Where we put our confidence is what matters, especially in the circumstances that could wreck our faith.

Watch how Martha responds...

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Martha believed.  She believed in Jesus, even though her brother died.  Jesus didn't show up on time to save her brother.  But, she still trusted Him. 

“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.

‭‭John‬ ‭11:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 In that moment, Jesus felt exactly what we feel when we mourn, when we have loss and pain. When we get no answers to what life throws at us. When our hopes, dreams and plans are shattered.  Later in the chapter, Jesus prayed an interesting prayer. 

“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11:41-42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus is saying, I'm not doing this of my own power, but of yours. I want to show everyone watching that we have a connection and I am your son. 

“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11:43-44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter what the cause, two things are true about our most difficult situations.  They have the power to cause us great pain, but they also have the power to grow our faith like nothing else. And we can come through this season of life trusting God more. There is no pain, loss or challenge so great, that it keeps God from working in your life. Look for what He is doing and choose to trust Him - even in the middle.

Russell