Real love in real life

​Ever been hit by one of those really tough questions that just stops you in your tracks? You know, the kind that makes you scratch your head and think, "Well, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" It's a question as old as time and one that needs to be dealt with in the story of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, from John 11:1-37.

Here's the deal: even the most devout followers of Jesus sometimes find themselves wondering why, if God loves us so much, He allows us to go through such pain and suffering. It's a valid question, one that atheists and believers alike ponder over. But here’s a thought: maybe it’s not about being shielded from all harm but about what these experiences teach us, about faith, resilience, and the depth of God's love.

So, Jesus, knowing full well how much He loved Lazarus and his sisters, chose to stay put for two more days upon hearing of Lazarus’s illness. It wasn't because He didn't care, but because there was a bigger picture – a lesson in faith and glory that needed to unfold. It’s a hard pill to swallow, understanding that sometimes our toughest moments could actually be setting the stage for something greater.

Here's a truth many of us might find a bit uncomfortable: our faith is not a bargain with God to keep us safe from life's storms. Instead, it's about being refined and matured through those very storms. Jesus didn't promise a life without trouble but promised to be with us through it all, teaching and strengthening us along the way.

When Jesus finally arrives and Lazarus has been dead four days, He doesn’t just wave a magic wand to make everything okay. Instead, He enters into the sisters' grief, showing that He is deeply moved by our pain. He weeps, reminding us that God is not distant and detached but fully present in our suffering, sharing in our most painful moments.

Then comes the miracle – Lazarus is raised from the dead, not just as a display of Jesus' power but as a testimony to who He is: the Resurrection and the Life. This act symbolizes not only the promise of eternal life but also the transformative power of faith in the face of despair. It reminds us that we’re currently living in what you might call the land of the dying, heading toward the real land of the living, if we believe in Him.

This story doesn’t neatly answer all the questions about why bad things happen to good people. But it does offer a perspective shift: perhaps it's more about God working through our struggles, refining us, and preparing us for something beyond our comprehension. It's about trust, even when we can't see the full picture.

So, next time life throws a curveball your way, remember Lazarus and his sisters. Remember that sometimes, it's not about the immediate rescue but what we learn, how we grow, and how we experience God's love and glory through it all. Maybe, just maybe, it’s about being ready for the real life that begins after this one ends.

- Adapted from messages preached across our 3 campuses on 3/17/23.