“If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”- John 11:21-22
In Chapter 22 (“The Grave Robber”) of his book The Grave Robber, Mark Batterson begins his discussion of Jesus’ seventh miracle recorded in the gospel of John- Jesus raises Lazarus. Pastor Batterson observes that there are those irreversible moments in life that leave a hole in our heart forever. Our ministry downsizing or vocation loss would be a prime example. We wish we could turn back the hands of time.
Mary and Martha thought life as they knew it was over. Yet, as Jesus demonstrated in raising Lazarus from the dead, it’s not over until God says it’s over! Jesus went toe-to-toe with death itself, and death lost. Raising Lazarus didn’t just foreshadow Jesus’ resurrection, it foreshadows ours. It’s a snapshot of what Jesus wants to do in our lives in this present moment. Jesus is calling us out of our tomb.
Lazarus got a second chance, a second life. Mark states that Jesus wants to do the same for us:
“And The Grave Robber wants to do for you what He did for Lazarus. But He doesn’t just want to give back the life that sin and Satan have stolen. He came that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).”
Today’s question: From what tomb is Jesus calling you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Holding pattern”
