Another miracle (John 11:38-44) 010407
Yesterday, I had Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade enrollment service rehearsal. The officers together with the escort of a few boys and girls, marched in with the song ‘In Christ Alone’, holding on to our company flags and church banner. It was an emotional moment for me. It is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. It will be a milestone for this ministry to move on in the future in God’s glory. I am really looking forward to the actual enrollment service next Sunday, on Easter Sunday. I hope that the church can support this ministry so that it can continue to reach out to children in the community and their parents too.
In doing God’s work, I have recognized that I have to do it in God’s way. Whenever Jesus performed miracle, He had a formula. I am not suggesting that Jesus was simply going through a manual so that miracle happened and ignore the truth about God’s will and power to act.
In today’s passage, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, after four days he had been buried. What principles can we learn from here?
Firstly, Jesus was deeply moved within again (v38). What catches my attention is the word ‘again’. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit in verse 33, when He saw Mary weeping and the Jews also weeping (v33). As Jesus approached the tomb, He was moved again (v38). The reason He was moved again, showed that He was totally able to connect with the people, not only once but again. Therefore, first thing we really need to learn from this passage, is to have a heart, a heart that can be moved by what we see around us. I was deeply moved when I see the children in the BBGB ministry without someone to help them to know God. I am not trying to be overly emotional. I do not have special passion and gifting to work with children. I love children, I love to play with a few, but not running them as a ministry. But I was moved, and this enrollment service moved me again. What is moving you now?
Secondly, Jesus asked the people to remove the stone (v39). Jesus wanted to face the reality of the situation, which was the death of Lazarus. Martha was practical, she knew that there would be a stench, but Jesus wanted to face Lazarus death (v39). It is necessary for us to face the real situation when we want to experience God at work in our life. We cannot live behind the stone. Maybe we can hide from the reality, but the reality is still there. When I stepped into the BBGB ministry, I saw a big stone of disorganize, no vision, no resource, no manpower, and no strong leadership. The ministry was run in the way to make sure we stay alive and I think that we were wasting our time and whatever little resources we had put in. When I removed this stone, I have to face with the reality that we have to recruit and raise up good officers and volunteers to commit to the ministry, we have to trust God for resources, we have to have vision and plans for the ministry, and I have to provide that strong leadership. This is the biggest stone I have to remove and face the reality: do I have that time and energy to give to this ministry? What are some things you have to remove, so that you are facing with the reality of life?
Thirdly, Jesus raised His eyes to God (v41). Jesus knew well that whatever He was doing on earth was to be in accordance to the will of God. He had to look to God, not only for the power to act, but also submit to God’s will. This is the tough part. It is tough to submit to God’s will after you think that you have done all you need to do. You have been moved deeply and have a passion for certain people or things, and you remove the stone and face the reality, but yet, when you look to God, His will is not to act. This is the crux of our relationship with God. Jesus knew the Father and was certain of His identity and purpose in God. Do you? What is your personal relationship with God?
The rest were history, Lazarus came out of the tomb (v44). Jesus asked the people to unbind Lazarus and let him go (v44), so that the people there could see what God had done. This is the last principle, that I have to show to others what God has done, not what I have done. In the BBGB ministry, God has caused me to be His servant to the children and the other officers and volunteers, God has brought in financial resources and also manpower help to this ministry, ad God has also given the ministry a favor before the school, principal and the parents, and increases the number of children joining the BBGB. Most importantly, these children are very open to the Jesus Christ. I thank God. Do you have anything to thank God too?
