John 11:1- 48
The account of Lazarus’ death was full of emphasis. The emphasis was placed on Mary, who anointed Jesus with her oil, to demonstrate how significant she is to Jesus. Jesus loved Lazaru, both Mary and Martha had close affinity with Jesus.
But when Jesus learned of Lazarus sickness, He said it was not unto death but for the glory of God to be revealed. He remained behind for two days. He even told his disciples that Lazarus was asleep and he wanted to go wake him. The disciples didn’t understand until Jesus announced clearly that Lazarus is dead.
Jesus went on to add that he is delighted they were not present because they will have another opportunity to know who He is and learn to trust Him.
When they arrived, Jesus realized Lazarus had been buried for four days already. Martha cried to Jesus if he had been there her brother wouldn’t have died. But she knows she’ll see her brother on resurrection day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and life.
Aside from the fact that Jesus will resurrect Lazarus from the dead, his disciples will also have another encounter, they will experience the Lord; they will come to see God in a different version.
Being a child of God does not make you immune to life’s hardships. When the scripture was explaining how Lazarus was related to Mary, the scripture quickly had to tell us who that Mary was. It was the same Mary who anointed Jesus’s feet with fragrant oil and wiped them with her hair.
That suggests Mary had deep reference and honour for the Lord. Mary was a person who would go out of her way for matters related to the Lord. That is the woman whose brother has died.
This explanation of Mary’s identity was intended to demonstrate that the Lazarus family does not lack knowledge or love for God. They love the Lord.
The scripture also mentions Jesus’ fondness for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, implying that the family was dear to his heart.
Jesus would have sent his word without leaving where he was because we have seen cases where someone was sick and the father came to Jesus to notify him and Jesus did not go to where the daughter was to heal her but he spoke and the bible says instantly the daughter of Jarius was made whole.
Understanding all of these notions, we must also recognize that Lazarus had no business dying. He should not have been sick in the first place. When Jesus learned that Lazarus was ailing, he did not go or say anything, as he had done in the past.
We have the power to stop the devil’s operations, and we have been granted it. Regardless of what we do for God, the devil will still come. His purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He has no regard for the oil that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet. This is why we must grow as believers. Grow up and establish a relationship with the Lord. Grow up to the point when you recognize what Christ has provided for you. Grow up away from religion. Grow up to the point where you can deal with the devil yourself.
If you don’t understand the connection between giving and kingdom advancement, as well as the importance of growing in the Lord to the point where you are mature enough to handle life’s challenges, the devil will make a mockery of your giving.
Giving does not prevent the devil from interfering with your business, and doing specific things for God does not prevent the demon from trying. The devil touched Lazarus’ health and visited Mary and Martha’s house. The devil did not value their contributions to the kingdom.
If the devil comes for you, go after him. Do not give him opportunities. Don’t play games or practice religion. Engage in the name of Jesus. Go after him with the authority you have in Christ! Be ruthless with the devil. Our victory is in the name of Jesus, do not allow the devil to deceive you.
So Jesus came on board to restore what the devil had ruined. Jesus stayed back after hearing of Lazarus’ death because he wanted to strengthen the people’s faith. He wanted them to have an encounter. It shows the length God can go to bring us to a place of maturity and assurance.
Jesus said, “I am glad for your sake that I was not there, this will give you another opportunity to know who I am.”
It was intended to give them new grounds for believing and have another opportunity to come to know the Lord.
The encounter wasn’t only meant for Lazarus ‘s family, but for other people to receive the light, understanding, revelation and encounter.
Mary came with her notebook and started engaging Jesus about his teaching on resurrection.
Do not give up too soon. Do your part, and leave the rest to God. Sometimes we believe that God is late, but God is never late. He has the ability to manipulate any scenario to your advantage, but you must also play your part.
Ensure you have done all that is needed to be done. Make an effort. Deploy God’s grace and wisdom.Lazarus was a testament speaking to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He walked out of the grave tied, and in grave clothes.
Mary and Martha had both heard Jesus preach about the resurrection. Jesus told them that they had only known Him as a rabbi and not the resurrection.
He told them that He is The life. We may take notes and study about the resurrection but may not know about The life. He proclaimed to be the life and resurrection, but they had no idea who He was. Resurrection has not happened even till date.
The resurrected morning has not come. You may have understanding and doctrine but the learning of Jesus supersedes revelations and learning. It is for us to hold it in one place and one hand. But don’t dismiss or invalidate the encounter with Jesus.
There is something called resurrection. He does not need to wait for an event to happen. The resurrection power supersedes the resurrection lecture. There is something called life and the resurrection and when called upon, our business can come to life. It can quicken our mortal bodies and bring it back to life.
As we learn about resurrection we must also experience its power in our own bodies. From our head to our toes, the resurrection power can work in us. The resurrection power can work for us. We can wait for the resurrection morning but we can experience the resurrection power here on earth.
At the resurrection morning we would see our loved ones who have slept in Christ and are awakened. For someone who is in Christ, we do not sorrow.
Our teaching is focused on bringing the resurrection power to its full reality. We want to experience the resurrection power rather than just studying the scriptures.
Receiving the Spirit of the Word is essential when studying scripture. His words are Spirit. The word is preached by the demonstration of the Spirit and power. We can’t downplay one in favour of another. We are making a mistake if we simply open ourselves up to the word and not to the demonstration of God’s power. You will be a student without proof, and learning.
Jesus is a good teacher, as He taught He also demonstrated. Irrespective of the fact that we are learning God’s word, we must not invalidate the miraculous. A typical example of such errors will be that God does not bless but only desires that we experience His salvation. We must embrace in totality of everything Jesus did for us through His death, burial and resurrection. By His stripes we are healed.
Miraculously, God can meet the needs of a man financially. God uses men. God can touch someone’s heart. Men designed the system of exchange via money. God did not make money the same as His angels. He can go to the nations of the earth and stir up a person’s heart.
There is a God who awakens people from their slumber to remember you. That is how God leverages the supernatural to your advantage. Someone speaking on your behalf in the boardroom.
The father heals and resurrects, he gives life to dead businesses, homes and careers. Dead wombs are given strength to conceive.
Mary and Martha knew about resurrection but they were unaware of the resurrection.
Encounter with Jesus is basically for men to have a clearer light and another opportunity to know who the Lord is. Never assume you’ve reached the end of the road and nothing can change.
God works things in our favor, never box God. Jesus said to the disciples that Lazarus’ sickness was not for his death, but for the glorification of God.
This served as a basis for Jesus’ calmness in that situation, knowing that it was to glorify the father. That automatically set him in a peaceful mode. We are going to learn about resurrection and experience it. God has the capacity to show up. He is God by himself, he knows how to show up. He is God Almighty. When troubles comes, deal with it.