21/01/2024
He seems to be late but He is still in time part one.
Our key text is coming from the book of John 11:39
My Bible reads, 'Jesus said "Take away the stone". Martha the sister of the dead man , said to him, Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days " '.
This verse describes the seventh and final miraculous sign recorded in the Gospel of Apostle John. This display of divine power only increases the resolve of Jesus' enemies to have Him killed ASAP.
Like Martha, many people today strive hard to carefully conceal or keep away the stench ( odour) of their dead and rotten sinful life from people and even from Christ Jesus the Messiah.
When Jesus heard about the illness in verse 4 of the same chapter, He said" This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the son of God may be glorified by means of it ". Paul reinforces this by writing to the Thessalonians in the first letter chapter 5:18 ' Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you '. Our suffering in God's kingdom has a purpose. Our trials are not useless.
Verse 5' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 so when he had that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.' This portrays that God's delays do not mean that He doesn't love us or that He doesn't hear us . It means there is something we cannot see, something we cannot understand by our sinful nature but God knows and He is working from the place of His omnipotence.
In verse 9, Jesus, the master of literature, employs a stylistic device symbolism. I quote " Are there not twelve hours in the day?. If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.' Daytime here symbolizes the knowledge of God's will and reliance in His guidance, and night symbolizes the absence of this knowledge combined with self-reliance. Those privileged to be in a literature class will understand it easily.
11:'.. Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, he will recover.' God knows everything. Nobody sent the news about Lazarus death to him. God's greatest aim is salvation of souls. God does not act exactly when, where or how we think God should act. He will act in His own good time and death will not have the final word. Old age prophet confirms that "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts". Isaiah 55:8-9.
He is fully in control of all things at all times in all places. We should remember time and again that delay is not a denial.
If you have read this sermon and found it helpful, kindly share to someone who might also benefit from it for the sake of spreading the gospel.
Stay tuned for part two. Class suspended.