“IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS

TOGETHER

FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM

AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” St Paul ROMANS 8.28

St Paul was probably reflecting on his own life when he wrote, “In all things (he is referring to the good and the bad experiences of life. St Paul described himself as the chief of sinners but God chose him and used him.)  God is able to bring good out of everything. You may be thinking how can God bring good out of all the bad things in my life. God is the only person who can bring good out of evil. He has always done it.

St Paul wrote a lot about Grace because he understood that only Grace could save him. Grace means the mercy of God for those who don’t deserve it. A welcome from God for those who don’t deserve it. Grace is also when God gives us good things we don’t deserve.

Jesus and Lazarus were good friends. Having Jesus as a friend must have been fantastic for Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Jesus who is God appearing in a human form and a friend of human beings. It’s a remarkable thought, this friendship is available for us today with Jesus! All we have to do is ask Jesus to be our friend.

Lazarus was very ill. The sisters sent a word to Jesus, “Lord, your friend Lazarus is very ill.” When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick. He stayed where he was for another two days. He said to his disciples, “This will not end in his death”. Jesus knew exactly what was going on in Lazarus’ life from a distance but he did not rush to see Lazarus.

After two days, Jesus said to his disciples “Lazarus has fallen asleep, I will go and wake him up. Let’s go back to Judea”. His disciples did not fully understand the meaning of this and said, “Lord if he is asleep. He will get better,” Jesus explained to them clearly, “Lazarus is dead.”

When Jesus arrived, he found Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Martha went to meet Jesus and said to him, “Lord if you had been here earlier Lazarus would not have died. But I know even now, God will give you whatever you ask him.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again on the resurrection day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies. Do you believe this Martha?”

“Yes, I do, you are the son of God, the Messiah, replied Martha.

“Your brother will rise from the dead”, said Jesus.

Mary arrived to meet Jesus and said,” Lord if you had been here my bother would not have not have died”.

Jesus could see how upset everyone was. He wept.  Here we see something of the humanity of Jesus. God cried over a loss of a friend. God looks at the suffering of the world today and he is in tears. Jesus is touched by our pain and sorrow. We are not alone in pain and suffering.

 Jesus went to the tomb and asked for the stone to be removed but Martha said to Jesus, “Lord my brother has been dead four days and the body will smell.?” Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you if you believe you will see the glory of God.”

Jesus looked up and said, “Father thank you, you have heard me”. He called out to Lazarus, “Please come out.” The dead man came out; his hands and feet were wrapped in strips of linen.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies.” These words of Jesus have been a comfort to millions over the years. These words are often read at funeral services and give people hope. Martha and Mary believed if Jesus had been with them earlier, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus was drawing out of Mary and Martha faith that he could still raise Lazarus from the dead.

Unfortunately, in our world today when we want everything immediately and as a result, we have become very impatient. It is same with us today – often we think God is too late! Jesus did not deliberately rush to see Lazarus.  He took his time because he was in control of the whole situation.

Only God know the reason for the delay and the U turns that happen in our lives. He can see the suffering we go through and we are not alone. But the key to everything is we can trust him. He knows the end result! ( The story of Jesus and Lazarus is found in John 11:1-44)

Dear Jesus

I put my trust in you

Please bring life to my body, spirit and mind

                  Please pour out your power and love into my life

 Please sustain me and keep me strong.

Amen

By harbajan (servant of Jesus)

www.godislove.me.uk

23/10/25