The emotions of death

Fear. Pain. Heartache.

We all experience these emotions. For some it’s every day. As I jot down these thoughts it’s still early in the day. I have no clue what will happen today. Sure my calendar is neatly planned out and a busy day is scheduled. But I don’t know what God has planned. 

My Bible reading this morning was the death of a good friend of Jesus — Lazarus. It’s interesting to me that poor Lazarus had to die twice. The Bible doesn’t say if he was an old man the second time, maybe he was sick, maybe his heart just wore out — we don’t know.

But everyone knows about his first death. He was sick and his sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. You’ve probably heard the story, but let me refresh your memory. Jesus deliberately chose to stay additional days where he was instead of going immediately to see his friend before he got worse. 

I’ve rushed to the hospital many times when we received the call that someone is not doing well. It’s not my favorite visit. Usually, they aren’t feeling their best and looking as sharp as you’d rather remember them. But we go to try to bring comfort to the family and friends. We go to say good-bye for now.

That’s a fact I wish everyone understood. With the security of God’s salvation, I will see that person again. And the next time will be a joyful occasion and reunion because we will both be celebrating in Heaven. That’s a hope I wish for everyone.

The Bible says Jesus detained himself for His glory. What does that phrase really mean? God’s Glory. I’m not a theologian and don’t come close. I’ve never enjoyed studying root words or Greek and Hebrew — just not my thing! So these thoughts just come from my heart.

I see God’s glory in the miracle of the birth of a child, a grandchild, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the budding of a dogwood tree. Or miracles like the Native American Training Center built at Hutchcraft Ministries. A beautiful, completely paid for building with dorms to train Native American young people how to reach their own people and bring hope to the hopeless. 

Sometimes I describe it as God showing off. I love for people to notice when I accomplish something well. Where do humans get that feeling? I think we get it honestly from our Heavenly Father who is doing His best to show himself to us, so we will believe in Him.

John 11 shows us that Jesus cares for his dear friends and the grief they are experiencing by the death of Lazarus. He was not only their brother, but probably the provider for the family. How would two sisters survive? 

When asked to quote a Bible verse, how many of us chose John 11:35.  The shortest verse in the Bible simply reads, “Jesus wept.”

Those watching took it to mean He wept for the loss of his friend. Probably true. But also for the unbelief of the crowd around Him. I’ve wept for them too. I hope you take time to realize the terrible future your grandchildren, friends, and coworkers will face if they don’t come to grips with the reality that they need a Savior. We should weep too.

This crowd had followed Jesus and the sisters to the tomb. (Side note: Didn’t anyone have an office job, a newspaper to print, a widget to make?)

Jesus prays out loud to His Father — God. And in the prayer admits He knows He doesn’t have to pray out loud for God to hear him. But that He does it for the sake of others.

(Another side note: This jogged a memory.  When our boys were teens and about to kill each other inside the house. My loud mean momma voice would stop the commotion and I would start praying out loud, “Lord these boys are driving me crazy. Please help them not kill each other and help me not kill them and end up in jail.”)

Back to God’s Glory. Do you remember that Moses had to cover his face after being with God because the glory of God put a shine on his face that was blinding to people? Wow. 

We can hope that our lives have a percentage of God’s Glory shining through us to help reach people who don’t know they need a Savior.

So for the sake of the crowd gathering around the tomb, Jesus prays and then calls for Lazarus to come out. I know Jesus used his first name so every dead corpse (redundant wording) wouldn’t come streaming out. I also like the fact that the hands and feet were tied up. (What was he going to do laying there dead?) And I like that his face was covered. So the weird side of me pictures a grown man whose feet are tied together shuffling out of the tomb just following the voice of Jesus. Surely they hadn’t taken time to put eye holes in that head covering for the dead man to see! But he knew the voice of Jesus.

If you don’t know Jesus yet, there is still time — but no one knows what will happen in the next five minutes. So do not delay. There are several sites I recommend if you want to learn more online. The Hutchcraft site is ANewStory.com or TrueLife.org that will help you find the truth and you can share in God’s glory, too.