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Monday, November 1, 2010

Unveilings part 1


As often readers of John’s 11th Gospel chapter, we may have a tendency to overlook some valuable unveilings on our way to the main unveiling of Lazarus from the dead.  This week we will journey ourselves along the Road to Resurrection, discovering unveilings that are often over looked.

Here’s a little snack: Make good use of your time this week by preparing yourself for Sunday’s morning gathering.  We will be examining the 11th chapter of John’s Gospel.  We will culminate with the resurrection of Lazarus from the grave in verse 43 and the application of Christ unveiling Himself as “the resurrection and the life” in verse 25.

Today we find our text unveiling the mystery of sickness and death.  And while sickness and even the death of a friend are traumatic to our souls, I cannot overstate the importance of having a proper understanding of God in these desperate times.  My how important it is to know that our God is not absent from us, nor is He even slightly oblivious to the hurt that we feel in times of sickness and death.  If ever we are to know the help of God in times of greatest heartache, we must look to God who is our help and strength.

May we not only know the reality of God’s sovereignty, but may we also keep this understanding on the forefront of our thinking as we struggle to find the answers to life’s greatest questions.  Verse 4 unveils the mystery of sickness and death.  Jesus said, “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” 

Now, the understanding of this sovereignty is somewhat different than what we discover in John 9 and the healing of the man who was born blind from birth.  There we were brought to the understanding of God’s sovereignty over sickness that we might see God’s hand in receiving glory for Himself alone.  Here we see that Christ too is glorified when the Father is glorified.  Notice the wording of verse 4: “…but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”  Here we see the glorification of Christ in our darkest hours.

How much lighter our sorrows are made when we understand that Jesus is glorified when we suffer.  Perhaps this is why the Psalmist shouted in his 116th chapter, “Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.”  What makes our death precious? It brings glory to God.  And when we give the Father glory in our times of sorry, the Son is glorified thereby.  What a wonderful thought.

So, what are you going through today that causes deep sorrow in your heart?  Remember, God knows and is readily available to be glorified.  Give it to Jesus!

Pastor Mike Carmody

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