Dead Lazarus Test

We start with John 11, and here we will look at a strange verse

"Lazarus has DIED, and for your sake I am GLAD" John 11:14

I have read this chapter couple of times, and I have always wondered why Jesus didn't immediately leave for Bethany to prevent Lazarus from dying?

Verse 5 says " Jesus LOVED Martha and her sister and Lazarus. SO When he heard that Lazarus was ill, He STAYED two days longer in the place where he was"

Jesus consciously wanted Lazarus to die .. infact Jesus consciously was ready to die himself .. for we see that the disciples are worried that Jesus is going back to Judea, a place where blood thirsty religious leaders were ready to persecute Jesus. There is something strange about death in this chapter, even Thomas the twin said in verse 16 " let us also go, that we may die with him" , he said this in context of dying with Jesus in Judea.

Now I find it really really interesting, that on one hand disciples are worried about " death" nearing for Jesus and on the other hand, Jesus is not at all worried, rather GLAD that Lazarus died.

Could it be that Lazarus's death was a demonstration of a maturing Christian life. Death is the pinnacle of physical maturity, that means .. growth of humans ultimately leads to death. Then is it possible, that the pinnacle of spiritual maturity is the DEATH OF SELF.

Now I hear it all the time, we must die to our SELF, and let CHRIST LIVE in us. But I never really knew how this process happens.

1. ILLNESS- now the beginning of the chapter says " Lord, he whom you love is ill. But when Jesus heard it, he said this illness does not lead to death. Illness here represents a downward journey on life's graph. Life is made of ups and downs, it's so much more easier to praise God when the life graph is heading up wards, but when it hits the valley season, this passage is teaching us, we can still continue praising God ..for something much greater lies ahead.

2. Death precedes resurrection: what is that greatness that lies on the other side of SELF death ? It's the RESURRECTION. Jesus was GLAD about Lazarus's death for he was excited to fill the lifeless body of Lazarus with the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost. Tell me , are you going through a grave season ?? Are you tied up with the the bandages of sorrow, grief and failure. Jesus says be glad that he doesn't show up immediately, be glad that he allows you to experience the grave FOR ONLY THE ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED GRAVE, SHALL EXPERIENCE RESURRECTION

3. DEATH LOST: I read some articles on the fear of death, and found that medicine has accepted that death is not an event but a process, in order to lessen the fear of death .. they have things like palliative care , where dying patients are really looked after. If you look at this passage closely, Lazarus physically died, Jesus's disciples physically died, Jesus physically died and the bible says according to Gods plan Jesus rose from the dead and is seated on Gods right hand. John 11 is clear on the notion, once our purpose is fulfilled on the earth , we will go through this physical death..because in the garden of Eden ..the eternal gift of life was in the breath of God and not in the mud that made these mortal bodies. But let's not forget what Jesus said in John 11 " I am the resurrection and life, those who believe in me, though they die yet they shall live" which meant, an eternal life with Christ Jesus , be it in heaven or on earth.

4. So what's in for us ? Death is not bad, we don't need palliative care for our dying self, sometimes God will allow you to die, sometimes according to your time line he will come late 🤷‍♀️sometimes he will be glad when all that excess SELF LIFE will die, and tears of sorrow will fill your life. But the revalation of Lazarus death was , that Christ Jesus is our RESURRECTION. He will surely come through, turn the grave stone and CALL YOU OUT BY YOUR NAME.

Let's pray

Dear Jesus, what we studied today is not an easy experience. It's painful and filled with sorrow, if some of us are going through this , help us see the light in that dark grave, help us hear your strong footsteps outside that grave, help us be ready in that grave .. to be called out of that grave ..with a mighty annointing of your Holy Spirit. And through this glorify our father in heaven.

Amen 💕