It Starts Small

A common life event many of us can share is the losing of a loved one. We miss our loved one when they have died. We long to talk to them and spend time with them. No human can really comfort the pain from losing a loved one in such times of grief.

Jesus says:

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. John 11:25

Jesus declares He is the Good Shepherd that lays His life down for His sheep.

Death is a Devastating Problem

¹⁷ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). ¹⁹ Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. ²⁰ As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. ²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. ²² Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” John 11:17-22

Because of the hot climate in Israel, the dead were buried right away. It had been four days since Lazarus had died and been buried. There was no hope for this man. Once a person dies, his cells begin to die and blood drains from the body. ALso the body begins to decay and we can only imagine the smell. So as we consider death being a devastating problem, think of the state of Lazarus’ body at this point.

All of us are going to go through or are in the midst of trials and difficulties. But in the midst of those difficulties and suffering is a God who is Greater! We must have a strong faith in the Lord God! WE need to put our trust into the Character of God. Of all the problems we face, death is the biggest. Death snatches us and our loved ones. Death brings disillusionment and grief. Death turns our lives upside down.

Sin rots us from the inside out, just as death rots us from the inside out when we die. A body does not break down from outside in. It starts on the inside and works its way out. Sin does this to us. Sin rots our heart. IT brings sickness to our minds and sickness to our bodies. Sin reaches its peak when it has completely corrupted the body and breaks lose to the outside. How? Sin takes the hate of our hearts, to our mind, and then it is acted through our mouth and hands. Sin corrupts our work. Sin corrupts our relationships. Sin corrupts everything we touch and say. That image and idea of a rotting body four days later is what we become. We are wrapped in death clothes and rotting in a grave.

But God is so Good! He gave a solution to this devestating problem!

Promise of Resurrection

²³ “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. ²⁴ Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.” John 11:23-27

Jesus did not merely resurrect people from the dead. He Himself is the resurrection. Jesus does not just give life, He is life! Jesus defeated death on the cross. He gives eternal life to those who believe and receive Him! Jesus is not just the solution to physical death. He is the solution to everything we face. Since He is God and has unlimited power, ALL things are possible through Him.

What struggles are you facing?
What problems are you in the middle of?
What sickness are you suffering from?
What relationship is falling apart?

The One who is the resurrection and the life CAN deal with your problems and sufferings! Jesus lives! He brings us life. When He called your name, and you received Him, you took a step out of that grave! You not only have eternal life from physical death, but your spirit is now sealed in eternity. That sin that has rotted your heart, mind, and spirit can now be cleansed! You become a new creation in and through Jesus! He wipes clean your past and you begin anew in Him. He becomes your life. He is the transformation of your heart and mind and body!

Praise God for the Hope you have in Jesus and to share this Hope with others!

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, ¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18

I AM who I AM
I AM: the Bread of Life
I AM: the Light of the World
I AM: the Door
I AM: the Good Shepherd
I AM: the Resurrection and Life
I AM: the Way, the Truth, the Life
I AM: the True Vine