Resurrection

The narrative of Lazarus as recorded in John 11 is a very interesting story. It shows several presumptions we embrace and often neglect the truth that Jesus is trying to convey.

The first presumption is, “If Jesus loves me, I should not get sick!” The reality is “Yes, Jesus loves me and I can get sick.” It was declared both by the sisters, Martha and Mary and the Jews that Jesus truly loved Lazarus. Yet, even though Jesus loved Lazarus, sickness did not elude him.

 Countless others who love and serve the Lord were not spared from being sick. We should not doubt love of God whenever we are down with sickness.

The second presumption is, “If Jesus loves me, I should get well!” The reality is, “Yes, Jesus loves me and I may not get well.”

Martha and Mary were both hoping that their brother Lazarus would be restored to good health. They have witnessed Jesus heal the sick and therefore, they were hoping that if Jesus was only around, He could have spoken His powerful word to heal.

In humility, let us also learn to submit to the will of God whenever we don’t see the healing we are desperately longing for. We can still ask for His mercy for us and our love ones and trust Him for a miracle of healing and recovery. But if God chooses not to heal, let us not doubt His love for us. The reality is, yes Jesus loves me and I may not get well.

The third presumption is, “If Jesus loves me, why should I die?”

The reality is, “Yes, Jesus loves me and I will surely die.”

Martha believed that death has separated them from Lazarus and they will have to wait for the resurrection at the last day before they will see each other again. But Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus is powerful over death. He is able to resurrect the dead. He does not need to wait for the resurrection at the last day. He can restore life when He wants it. That is why He can command Lazarus to rise from the dead. The power of God displayed – a decayed body restored to wholeness when resurrected by Jesus.

Only God knows our appointed time with death. But we need not fear death. Jesus’ assurance is for anyone who puts his/her trust in Him: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:40). — Rev. GREG AMBROSE ROASA, Makati