When I was young, one of the things I remember most about a trip to the doctor was the children’s magazines. Growing up in the ‘60s, I fondly remember those stories of David and Goliath, Samson, Noah, and Jonah. For a child who did not attend church, these stories were quite a curiosity to me. I am sure I had heard the names before, but could not retell the stories of these famous Bible characters. I know it sounds silly, but it was some time before I figured out that the Claymation characters of Davey and Goliath were not the same as the Biblical characters of David and Goliath. Today, I can only believe that many children may not even know these names. No longer do you see the magazines that littered the pediatrician’s office. Instead, we see faces buried deep into iPhones, iPads, and other devices. Unless taught, they too will miss out on the “greatest story ever told.”
Fast forward forty years, my life is coming full circle. I have found a new curiosity in the biblical narrative. Sitting on the balcony in church after receiving Christ as my Savior, I heard the Pastor begin to tell a story I had never heard before (John 11:1-44). Unpacking the verses, he opened my eyes to the parallel meaning of what just happened to me and this man’s story. It was about a man called Lazarus, loved greatly by his sisters Mary and Martha. A man who was also loved by Jesus had fallen sick and needed His help. As we follow the narrative, we see that Jesus has stayed back a few more days, only to be told that Lazarus had died. Arriving four days later, Jesus comforted the sisters. With only Martha there to greet Him, their conversation quickly became one of faith. In one short sentence, Jesus told her that her brother “will rise again” (John 11:23).
John 11:25-26 continues, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” In the next verse, Martha replied, “She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’”
In raising Lazarus from the dead, those that were there witnessed the power of the Son of God. Setting the stage for His own death, Jesus was stirring up those that would not believe. It would be only a few short weeks before Jesus Himself would be crucified and raised from the dead. Making believers throughout the land, Jesus continued in His ministry. He was showing His power and compassion to all.
I believe that my own story is one of resurrection and life. Those who had known me previous to my conversion would say, “It is a miracle!” The change was profound and an eye-opener to all those that witnessed the new me. Many would question the permanence of this change until years later, only to find I have grown deeper in my faith. Now they too can say a miracle took place that day. Jesus has used my broken life to lift the faith of those who have struggled in their own lives. His miracles are to show all that “will” believe, the strength to say “I do” believe. Even today, miracles are taking place as we see the striking change that takes place in the lives of those that have received Christ. After witnessing this change in a person, how does your faith not grow stronger, or have you become so hardened that you choose not to believe? During His earthly ministry, Jesus raised a total of four people which included Himself. Yet, there were those who chose not to believe that He was the Messiah. He told them that He would raise Himself up on the third day, yet their unbelief sealed their own fate. It comes down to the eternal question, do you believe that Jesus died and was raised again on the third day so that you too would have everlasting life, or do you not?
“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:6