Trusting Jesus Through Pain and Uncertainty

 

Summary

In the story of Lazarus, we encounter a profound narrative of pain and hope, centered not just on Lazarus but also on Mary and Martha's relationship with Jesus. Lazarus, a beloved friend of Jesus, falls ill, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus, hoping for a swift healing. However, Jesus delays his visit, allowing Lazarus to die, which seems perplexing given his love for them. This delay is not a sign of neglect but a deliberate act of love, designed to deepen their faith and understanding of Jesus.

Jesus's decision to wait is a testament to his belief in Mary and Martha's ability to trust in his love, even amidst uncertainty and grief. This mirrors the experience of a baseball game, where the outcome is unknown, and the tension and uncertainty are what make the victory meaningful. Jesus's actions invite Mary and Martha to grow in their faith, to trust in his wisdom and love, even when the path is unclear.

When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, he is met with grief and reproach from Martha and Mary, who both express their belief that Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus weeps, not out of a general sorrow for humanity, but because of the pain his loved ones are experiencing, pain that he knows is partly due to his actions. Yet, he remains steadfast in his purpose, knowing that this journey through pain will lead to a greater understanding and a deeper connection with him.

Ultimately, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating his power over death and offering a glimpse of the resurrection to come. This story encourages us to trust in Jesus's love and wisdom, even when we don't understand his timing or methods. It reminds us that our faith is often strengthened through trials and that Jesus is with us, inviting us to persist and trust in his greater plan.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus's delay in coming to Lazarus was an act of love, designed to deepen Mary and Martha's faith and understanding of him. This teaches us that sometimes, delays in our lives are opportunities for growth and deeper connection with God. [03:48]

- The uncertainty and tension in life, much like in a game, are what make the outcomes meaningful. Jesus invites us to embrace these moments, trusting that they are part of a larger, divine narrative. [05:03]

- Jesus weeps not because of a general sorrow for humanity but because of the specific pain his loved ones are experiencing. This shows us that Jesus is deeply empathetic and present in our personal struggles. [08:28]

- The story of Lazarus is a reminder that Jesus's love and wisdom are trustworthy, even when we don't understand his timing or methods. Our faith is often strengthened through trials and uncertainties. [09:23]

- We are encouraged to focus on what we do know about Jesus—his love, wisdom, and power—rather than what we don't know. This perspective helps us to persist and trust in his greater plan, even in the face of life's challenges. [10:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:44] - Introduction to Lazarus's Story
- [01:00] - The Unusual Family of Bethany
- [01:29] - Jesus's Strange Delay
- [02:10] - The Purpose Behind the Delay
- [02:54] - The Agony of Waiting
- [03:48] - Love in the Midst of Delay
- [04:20] - The Tension of Uncertainty
- [05:28] - Trust and Belief in Jesus
- [06:06] - Lessons from Jesus's Childhood
- [07:04] - Confrontation with Jesus
- [08:02] - Jesus's Empathy and Tears
- [09:11] - The Miracle of Resurrection
- [10:05] - Embracing the Unknown
- [11:08] - Closing and Announcements

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Lazarus

Bible Reading:
- John 11:1-44

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Jesus's initial response when he heard about Lazarus's illness, and how did this response seem unusual? [01:29]

2. How did Mary and Martha react when Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, and what does this reveal about their expectations of him? [07:04]

3. What was the significance of Jesus weeping, and what does it tell us about his relationship with Mary and Martha? [08:28]

4. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the tension between human understanding and divine timing? [09:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to delay his visit to Lazarus, and what does this suggest about his understanding of love and faith? [03:48]

2. In what ways does the story of Lazarus challenge the common perception of how Jesus responds to our prayers and needs? [03:33]

3. How does the narrative of Lazarus's resurrection serve as a "mini picture" of the greater resurrection to come, and what implications does this have for believers? [02:40]

4. What does Jesus's interaction with Mary and Martha teach us about the nature of faith during times of uncertainty and grief? [07:35]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was delaying in answering your prayers. How did that experience affect your faith, and what did you learn from it? [03:48]

2. How can you cultivate trust in God's timing and methods, especially when they don't align with your expectations? [09:23]

3. Jesus wept because of the pain his loved ones were experiencing. How can you be more empathetic and present in the struggles of those around you? [08:28]

4. Consider a situation in your life that feels uncertain or unresolved. How can you focus on what you know about Jesus—his love, wisdom, and power—rather than what you don't know? [10:20]

5. In what ways can you embrace the tension and uncertainty in your life as opportunities for growth and deeper connection with God? [05:03]

6. How can you apply the lesson of persistence and courage, as illustrated by the baseball analogy, to your current life challenges? [05:28]

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in Jesus's greater plan. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to him? [10:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Delays as Opportunities for Growth
Jesus's delay in coming to Lazarus was not a sign of neglect but an intentional act of love, designed to deepen Mary and Martha's faith and understanding of him. This teaches us that sometimes, delays in our lives are opportunities for growth and deeper connection with God. When we face delays, it can be easy to feel forgotten or overlooked, but these moments are often when God is working most profoundly in our lives. By allowing Lazarus to die, Jesus created a situation where Mary and Martha could experience a deeper revelation of his power and love. [03:48]

John 11:14-15 (ESV): "Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'"

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are experiencing a delay. How can you view this delay as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God?


Day 2: Embracing Uncertainty with Trust
The uncertainty and tension in life, much like in a game, are what make the outcomes meaningful. Jesus invites us to embrace these moments, trusting that they are part of a larger, divine narrative. Life's uncertainties can be daunting, but they also provide a space for faith to flourish. Just as Mary and Martha were invited to trust Jesus despite their grief and confusion, we too are called to trust in God's greater plan, even when the path is unclear. [05:03]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel uncertain. How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation today?


Day 3: Jesus's Empathy in Our Pain
Jesus weeps not because of a general sorrow for humanity but because of the specific pain his loved ones are experiencing. This shows us that Jesus is deeply empathetic and present in our personal struggles. His tears at Lazarus's tomb reveal a Savior who is not distant or detached but one who enters into our suffering with us. This empathy is a profound reminder that we are never alone in our pain; Jesus is with us, feeling our hurt and offering comfort. [08:28]

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your pain. How does knowing that Jesus empathizes with your struggles change your perspective on that experience?


Day 4: Trusting in Jesus's Love and Wisdom
The story of Lazarus is a reminder that Jesus's love and wisdom are trustworthy, even when we don't understand his timing or methods. Our faith is often strengthened through trials and uncertainties. Jesus's actions in the story of Lazarus challenge us to trust in his greater plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. This trust is not blind but rooted in the knowledge of his character—his love, wisdom, and power. [09:23]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Consider a recent trial or uncertainty you have faced. How can you remind yourself of Jesus's trustworthy character in the midst of it?


Day 5: Focusing on What We Know About Jesus
We are encouraged to focus on what we do know about Jesus—his love, wisdom, and power—rather than what we don't know. This perspective helps us to persist and trust in his greater plan, even in the face of life's challenges. By anchoring ourselves in the truths of who Jesus is, we can navigate the unknowns with confidence and peace. This focus shifts our perspective from fear and doubt to faith and assurance. [10:20]

Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: What is one truth about Jesus that you can hold onto today to help you navigate a current challenge? How can this truth bring you peace and assurance?

Quotes

"Jesus his response is this sickness will not end in death he's got something good in plant something that's going to be glorious something that will actually uh produce glory in those that he love but then real strange thing now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus it's striking there's never a mention of a spouse not not a husband for Martha or for Mary or a wife for Lazarus or children that was very uh unusual in the ancient world and probably quite stigmatizing they had a strange little family in their society and Jesus of course himself was single a single Rabbi and that was strange and maybe uh they're sharing that status together as part of why he felt at home with them and loved them he loves them but when he heard Lazarus was sick he stayed where he was two more days and that's strange why wouldn't he go directly there and heal Lazarus and he says to his disciples uh that he's glad that they were with him when he stayed so that they might believe he's he's got something remarkable planned and if you know the story you know it is that he's going to raise Lazarus there's going to be a little Resurrection a little mini picture of the Resurrection that might help his friends and you and I believe the resurrection is possible." [00:57:46]

"Mary and Martha have to watch as this brother that they love dies and they know that Jesus knows about this and he doesn't come hour after hour for a couple of days until it is too late why didn't Jesus at least tell them hey Mary and Martha and Lazarus I'm going to do something spectacular it's going to be great people going to talk about this for centuries so just want to give you a heads up you don't have to worry about whether or not I love you and there is a reason for this very often people come to Jesus and they ask for a healing they ask for deliverance they ask for help and he gives it to them without making them go through a delay he puts Elan orites Mary and Martha and Lazarus through a delay precisely because he loves them and he knows they're going to achieve a connection with him they're going to come to an understanding of him they're going to grow in their faith if they go through these days of uncertainty in a way that would not happen if they were just able to find out what the outcome is right away life is that way." [00:90:31]

"Jesus believes that Mary and Martha and Lazarus know him and can trust in his love for them enough that they will be able to walk through this faith has grown that way we see a little echo of this at the very beginning of Jesus's life when he's 12 years old he's at the temple and his mom comes she'd been looking for him didn't know that he stayed behind why did you treat us like this didn't you your father and I have been anxiously searching and Jesus respon is why were you searching did not you know I'd be here and the grammar of his question there didn't you know it expects a positive answer in other words Jesus thought his mom would would know he doesn't you know he could have told her hey Mom I'm going to stay in the temple for a couple days um and that would have spared her a lot of anxiety he did not do that Mary is going to have to learn not to worry about Jesus she has a lot she's going to have to face and Jesus does not tell her where he's going to be he expects she'll be able to figure it out he can't that's kind of disappointing but even so she going to be able to grow more as she has to go through that uncertainty and come to know him at a deeper level and come to know herself and her faith at a deeper level than if she just you know was spared the uncertainty of not knowing." [00:338:44]

"Jesus comes into Bethany after Lazarus is dead after he has said nothing to Mary and Martha what does he expect is going to happen there and notes one possible scenario would be that Mary and Martha would come to him and say Lord we don't understand we are stricken with grief we are sad we are so sad we are uh terrified and yet we know you love us and we know that you're wise we have good reason for this we've seen it before we trust that you know what you are doing we trust that uh we will walk through this together with you and somehow you will bring good out of it that's not what happens and Ellena writes it is so saddening to Jesus to be the object of pain in these lives where he was trusting in them Martha comes up and rebukes him Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died and uh she's quite confrontational they get into a little sparring match where Jesus gives quite an impassioned statement I am the resurrection and the life the one who believes in me that trusts in me though he dies yet will live Martha do you believe this and she's LED for that moment to a deeper Place." [00:422:00]

"Jesus Weeps elanar says not because of a general abstract commiseration with the human condition or death he knows he's going to raise Lazarus from the dead that's not the problem the problem is the pain that he sees those that He Love go through so deeply and that he knows the way that he has handled the situation is a deep part of what caused that pain but he loves Mary and Martha still and he wants something better and just like with his mom he knows they're going to get there but it's going to be harder and more painful so sad and uh so he raises Lazarus from the dead we'll get back to that later on uh and then to kind of move things on he says take off his grave cloth you know Martha was always good at like preparation and hygiene and fixing stuff up so he gives her something to do um they're walking through these moments of not knowing and darkness and uncertainty and why is this delay and why is this timing happening how come I is not a sign that he doesn't love them it's precisely because he does and it's hard for the moment but it's leading to something even greater it's leading to a deeper connection and a greater miracle that may come after death rather than before it so that's the hope that I have for you and me today and I know in The Fellowship of the withered hand where we live with our own sense of inadequacy and worry and concern and why and how come I can't know there is one who loves and he is fully competent and he knows what he's doing and the invitation is now today don't Focus primarily on what you don't know Focus primarily on what you do know that courage is a good thing that persistence is a good thing that endurance is a good thing that no one has ever explained life or love nobody has ever lived or died or been raised against the way that Jesus did and he is worthy of our trust even when there are things that we don't know so today whether what you're going through is a minor or a life or death deal don't you give up you keep going you Embrace Life you persist you run out to Jesus and talk to him and let him know about whatever your complaint is you keep going you give it the best you have you are Freddy Freeman you stay in that batters box and you swing stretch out your hand." [00:508:44]

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Transcript
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