Death to Life
Matthew 20:17-19 [NLT], ...He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him. 18 "Listen," He said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die. 19 Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead."
John 11:1 [TPT], In the village of Bethany there was a man named Lazarus, and his sisters, Mary and Martha. One day Lazarus became very sick to the point of death.
John 11:3 [TPT], So his sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, our brother Lazarus, the one You love, is very sick. Please come!”
John 11:5-6 [TPT], Now even though Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He remained where He was for two more days.
John 11:7-14 [TPT], Finally, on the third day, He said to His disciples, “Come. It’s time to go to Bethany.” …11 Then Jesus added, “Lazarus, our friend, has just fallen asleep. It’s time that I go and awaken him.” 12 When they heard this, the disciples replied, “Lord, if he has just fallen asleep, then he’ll get better.” 13 Jesus was speaking about Lazarus’ death, but the disciples presumed He was talking about natural sleep. 14 Then Jesus made it plain to them, “Lazarus is dead.” 17–18 Now when they arrived at Bethany…Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Death can look like…
sin
broken relationships
disappointment
betrayal
resentment or strife
bitterness, anger or unforgiveness
pride and arrogance
fear and doubt
addiction
hopelessness
loneliness or depression
rejection
marital issues
lost dreams and aspirations
church hurt
misconception towards God
Death is anywhere there is an absence of God in our lives. And it is a sure sign the enemy has been working in our lives.
Are you aware of the death you are currently carrying?
How will you choose to respond to it?
John 11:19-21 [TPT], Many friends of Mary and Martha had come from the region to console them over the loss of their brother. 20 And when Martha heard that Jesus was approaching the village, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “My Lord, if only You had come sooner, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
John 11:22-27 [TPT], “But I know that if You were to ask God for anything, He would do it for You.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise and live.” 24 She replied, “Yes, I know he will rise with everyone else on resurrection day.” 25 “Martha,” Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait until then. I am the Resurrection, and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to Me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever. …26 Do you believe this?” 27 Then Martha replied, “Yes, Lord, I do! I’ve always believed that You are the Anointed One, the Son of God who has come into the world for us!”
A generic religious answer will rarely change real life problems.
John 11:28-32 [TPT], Then she left and hurried off to her sister, Mary, and called her aside from all the mourners and whispered to her, “The Master is here and He’s asking for you.” 29 So when Mary heard this, she quickly went off to find Him, 30 for Jesus was lingering outside the village at the same spot where Martha met Him. 31 Now when Mary’s friends who were comforting her noticed how quickly she ran out of the house, they followed her, assuming she was going to the tomb of her brother to mourn. 32 When Mary finally found Jesus outside the village, she fell at His feet in tears and said, “Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
A genuine heart that is full of dependency will always move the heart of Jesus.
John 11:33-39 [TPT], When Jesus looked at Mary and saw her weeping at His feet, and all her friends who were with her grieving, He shuddered with emotion and was deeply moved with tenderness and compassion. 34 He said to them, “Where did you bury him?” “Lord, come with us and we’ll show You,” they replied. 35 Then tears streamed down Jesus’ face. …38 Then Jesus, with intense emotions, came to the tomb—a cave with a stone placed over its entrance. 39 Jesus told them, “Roll away the stone.”
Jesus can have compassion for us, but until we are willing to take the first step, He cannot do a thing for us.
John 11:39-40 [TPT], Then Martha said, “But Lord, it’s been four days since he died—by now his body is already decomposing!” 40 Jesus looked at her and said, “Didn’t I tell you that if you will believe in Me, you will see God unveil His power?”
He never calls death out of us to embarrass us, He calls it out to breathe His resurrection life into it.
John 11:41-43 [TPT], So they rolled away the heavy stone. Jesus gazed into heaven and said, “Father, thank You that You have heard My prayer, 42 for You listen to every word I speak. Now, so that these who stand here with Me will believe that You have sent Me to the earth as Your messenger, I will use the power You have given Me.” 43 Then with a loud voice Jesus shouted with authority: “Lazarus! Come out of the tomb!”
The Easter story is a story of HOPE.
John 11:44-45 [TPT], Then in front of everyone, Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, slowly hobbled out—he still had grave clothes tightly wrapped around his hands and feet and covering his face! Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” 45 From that day forward many of those who had come to visit Mary believed in Him, for they had seen with their own eyes this amazing miracle!