Lazarus Is Dead, And I Am Glad

When we are in trouble, we can look to the Lord, and we'd better know He will come for us!

Now, Jesus may not answer the way we want Him to. And notice that the sisters didn't tell Jesus what to do. They just asked Him to come. And He may not come WHEN you want, but it WILL be in His perfect timing.

Jesus loves Lazarus, so in our minds, we imagine Him dropping everything and chartering the fastest burrow money can buy. But that's not what happened. There was a delay...

v.6 Then it's gonna take another travel day once He finally leaves. Can you imagine how perplexing this is to the ladies? They ask the messenger, where is He? "I don't know!" They ask, "What did Jesus say?"

v. 4 One problem: Lazarus DID die. Did Jesus get it wrong? No. Jesus didn't say he wouldn't die, but rather that death wouldn't be the final word of the matter. Praise God, we can say the same. My death may be fatal, but it won't be final!

Just as Jesus conquered death for Himself He did it for us as well. He is the firstfruits of the resurrection...and WE are the fruit! Jesus is the prototype for converting death into life, and then He started up mass production for us!

Jesus has power over demons and cast them out with a word.

Jesus has power over disease and with just a word ailments vanished.

Jesus has power over danger, like the storm on the sea...He walked on those waves and could still them like a whipped pup! It was the water His disciples feared the most, and so Jesus showed them that He had power over that which they feared the most...it was just a sidewalk upon which He could come to them in their hour of need. And the storms of this life which seem over our head are under His feet!

And Jesus has power over death! Death may knock us down, but it cannot knock us out! Just as 'up from the grave He arose', up from the grave we shall rise as well.

Oh death where is thy victory, Oh grave where is thy sting?! God taunts death, for He is life! It's like death was mouthing off to Jesus and He popped it in the mouth and said, what have you got to say now? Not so tough are you? Looks like your mouth likes to write checks your body can't cash!

Jesus has the last word, and when He says in v. 4 that this sickness is not unto death, He reminds us that death is not the end of the story!

v. 4 "...but for the glory of God." Jesus could have healed Lazarus before He died. He chose not to. Why? It was an opportunity for God to receive more glory!

And this is why Jesus could say Lazarus is dead and I am glad...not because he was dead and there was much heartbreak, but glad to have the opportunity work the miracle, to be glorified, and for others to believe and be saved! [v. 15]

Now, what kind of heartache, suffering, and sacrifice are you willing to accept gladly, if you know it will result in God getting more glory?

Most of us, myself included, are more concerned with our personal comfort than God's glory. We say we want God to be glorified, but not necessarily at our expense.

When Paul was given that thorn in the flesh for the glory of God, his next sentence was: Most gladly therefore will I accept this.

Their suffering, their Savior [conclusion next week]

PowerPoint, audio, and formatted text, including pt. 2 at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Lazarus.html