The Story of a Man Named Lazarus...

This past weekend, I found out that my bosses son, Jesse, had passed away. Although I had only gotten to know him a little bit, this still came as a huge shock for me. The last major death in my life was the passing of my grandmother about 4 years ago, and even then it wasn't quite as sudden. My grandmother spent her last couple weeks in a hospital bed where people could say their goodbyes. She had lived a long, full life serving the Lord. When she passed, it wasn't near as sudden. Finding out about Jesse was much more of a shock.

Over the past year or so, one thing I've been learning and seeing more and more of is the character of God, more specifically, the emotions of God. One thing I guess that had taken root in my mind is that the Lord is the same in his emotions, never changing. That the Almighty was so mono toned so to speak. It wasn't until I read the story of Lazarus in new light that this idea was shattered. The story which is in the bible, John chapter 11, goes like this.

Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus, and was the brother of Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha sent people to Jesus to tell him that Lazarus had fallen ill. Jesus, knowing of Lazarus's death at this point, waits a little longer to go down to mourn with the family. When he gets there, seeing the tomb, Jesus wept! Like, tears flowing, wailing, snot bubbles coming out of his nose wept! As some people in the crowed said "could not have Jesus prevented this?" Jesus was deeply moved, and ordered that the tomb be opened. And for the glory of God, Jesus said

 "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

He then directed his attention to the tomb and cried aloud "Lazarus! Wake up!"

And the dead man came out.

You see, it wasn't until I put myself in the shoes of Lazarus and not one of the side-liners that this passage finally hit me. It wasn't until I was able to say, I am a dead man, dead in my sins and I need the life of a Saviour that this passage became more than just a story. It wasn't until I heard Jesus weep and say "David! Come out!" that this passage actually made a difference in my life. I had always believed that Jesus was the resurrection, that He would bring to life all things, and as I write this fighting tears, I hold fast the reality that Jesus is saying "Come out!" not just to me, but to anyone who is listening. The reality that Christ mourns the death of our spirit as we sin, yet there he is again and again to say "David! Come out!"

The little bit that I knew Jesse was that he was full of the joy of God! Always willing to serve, even surrendering up a summer to serve at bible camp to share the love that Christ had given him leaves me still missing him, even though I know he has woken up. I know he's in heaven, and I hold fast to that truth, that reality of being made perfect before God in Christ and now worshiping the Lord without ceasing! But still, knowing that Jesus weeps over death, that The Almighty has felt exactly as I do gives me much more freedom to mourn, yet much, much more freedom to worship. Knowing that God is a good God and doesn't make mistakes, I find peace that this will all work for Him, who loves us.

Please be praying for Jesse's family, friends, and anyone else that knows him. Pray that the grace of God would comfort and uphold all who mourn.

If you are reading this and want to talk, lets talk. My facebook profile info is located at the top right corner of this blog. Know that you are loved beyond anything you could imagine, and Christ is saying "Come out,"