Isn't it amazing to see the talents of doctors as they swiftly move to work on the broken, maimed bodies of badly injured people? They are so intent to save life, and restore health. Then, quite suddenly they might give up and turn away - why? Death! Once a patient dies all further efforts are useless.
But this wasn't always the case! as this true story will show us; and we discover something very important about ourselves and "death".
A crowd of people moved towards "a cave with a stone laid across the entrance" - it was the grave of a dead man. His sisters were in the crowd and were in great distress. People were crying.
"'Take away the stone,' Jesus said .
'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.'
Jesus was not put off by that.
How horrible it would be for those sisters. To see a dead decaying brother could not bring joy to them!
Did you know that God says He sees all mankind as being dead to Him? SPIRITUALLY DEAD! Dead in our transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3. Colossians 2:13.); meaning that we are unable to do anything to bring pleasure or joy to God, our Creator. (Isaiah 64:6.) Because of our sins we are completely powerless to please the Holy God of Heaven! Dead! (Romans 3:20. Galatians 2:16.)
But listen to this. "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Jesus said to Martha outside her dead brother's tomb. Death does not mean hopelessness where JESUS is brought in to help! (John 5:24.)
They took away the stone from the entrance to the tomb, willing to give Jesus access to that scene of death and corruption. Could He do something that no one else could do?
Are YOU ready and willing to admit that you are spiritually dead in God's sight? Are you willing to allow Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, to have the access that He wants to all that is corrupt and disgusting in your life so that He can put it right? (Luke 5:31- 32.) Jesus is your ONLY HOPE. (Colossians 1:27.) See what Jesus can do! (Romans 5:6-11.)
Jesus looked up, and called on His Father; so that the people would believe that God had sent Him. Then he spoke in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'" (verses 41-44.)
Only Jesus, the Creator of life, could make dead men live!
It is a bit like that when a person trusts in Jesus to take away his sin, and give him New Life in Christ. He discovers that many of the useless religious rites, that made him look or feel good when he was still "dead" in his sins, will only hinder his progress now if they are not put away.
Will YOU put your faith in Jesus, as some of those did in this story from John chapter 11, verses 38-45. (verse 45.)
That is the only way spiritually dead men live, and become acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:1-10.)
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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