When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4, NIV)
Only Monday, I wrote that a weekend on the couch probably isn’t the best way to go. But sometimes it the only way.
Once a month for the past year and more now, I have been plugged into a chemotherapy pump and received the drug that keeps my tumor—in its third iteration after the first was identified five years ago—from growing. On the weekend that follows, which was this weekend for me, the couch is my friend. And it sure is nice when the TV offers a women’s major, the NCAA basketball tournament, and the opening weekend of baseball.
If this all sounds like a pretty good excuse to lie around for a few days every month, you’re right! But you’d also be right to surmise that the price is a little higher than I’d like. The cable bill alone is enough. I don’t really need a disease and sickness thrown into the bargain.
What I cannot tell you is whether my sickness will end in death. My life will, of course. Maybe that’s too matter of fact for you, but it’s biblical (see Hebrews 9:27). But will my death come by this means or that? Only God knows.
In the case of Lazarus in John 11, God knew—and his will came pouring out of the mouth of Jesus: “This sickness will not end in death.” But oh, there was still a huge surprise to come. Because Lazarus did die. Almost immediately.
You could say that Lazarus’ life had a beginning, and end, and a middle. In that order.
Jesus’ friend was going to die, but it would not end in death.
When Jesus got word that Lazarus was sick, it came from his sisters, who knew Jesus as well as anyone. They knew what he could do, the miracles he had worked, the healing he could bring. Their cry was not the surprise.
Jesus heard the report, said Lazarus’ illness would not end in death, then waited two days before making a move. And Lazarus died. Maybe here was the surprise. Had Jesus been wrong?
But Jesus knew what no one else did—though he had announced it in an atypical way. Lazarus was going to rise from the dead at Jesus’ call. Jesus’ friend was going to die, but it would not end in death. He would walk out of the tomb, four days after he was put there. Now there’s the surprise.
Or maybe it’s this: If you are in Christ, your death will not end in death either. The resurrection of Lazarus was remarkable, but it could not save others. Jesus’ resurrection, however, because it defeated the death of the innocent Lamb of God, has the power to secure our eternal life. “The body is sown perishable,” Paul wrote, “it is raised imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:42b).
On this side of death, you never know what will happen to you. But on the other side, if you have that security in Jesus, the promise of everlasting life will be yours!
—
Jeff Hopper
April 7, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay