Read John 11:1-16
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” This story is so amazing, that I will take my time walking through it. Here’s a recap of where we are thus far. After receiving word of Lazarus’ condition, Jesus remained where He was for two more days, seemingly doing nothing but stalling. When Jesus sensed the time was right, He said to His disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” He was ready to do what He was called to do and bring Lazarus back from the dead. The disciples did not know what Jesus was thinking and they were not ready. They reminded Jesus that the last time He was in Judea the Jewish leadership attempted to kill Him. The disciples were afraid that Jesus was walking into a death trap. They were speaking out of fear. This is why Jesus was often frustrated with them. Jesus addressed their concerns and assured them that they were going back.
Jesus then said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” This was now the second statement that Jesus had made about Lazarus’ situation and both statements were positive. In the first Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” These two statements are important to remember, because the story is about to take a turn for the worse.
The disciples really had no clue of what Jesus was planning to do. They said, “Lord, that’s good that he is sleeping. If he sleeps, he will get better.” They were thinking that Lazarus needed the rest so that he could feel better, but Lazarus had already died. Jesus clarified the situation by saying, “Lazarus is dead.” Just like that. Jesus did not cut any corners. He told them plainly that Lazarus was no longer alive. Now, by this point they should have been thinking, “No, there has to be something wrong. Jesus already said that this situation would not end in death and that He was going to wake up Lazarus.” If they knew anything about Jesus, they knew He was no liar. Jesus always said what He meant and meant what He said.
While all sorts of thoughts were flooding through the minds of the disciples, Jesus said, “And for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” What? Jesus was glad that He was not there! Why? How? What was going on? Jesus loved these people, He chose to remain where He was, and while He was waiting around seemingly doing nothing, Lazarus had died. This makes no sense today and it made no sense back then. But remember, God does not have to make sense. His ways are above natural ways. His plans are above human reasoning.
While the disciples were racking their brains over this, I am sure the they were trying to figure out how they had something to do with it. Jesus said He was glad this happened, FOR THEIR SAKES! Someway, somehow, they were going to benefit from it. Another translation says that it would help them “grow their faith.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Your situation is not over until God says it’s over.
a) Humanly speaking, Lazarus’ situation seemed like it was as over as it could be. Lazarus had stopped breathing, the sisters were in mourning, the preparations for the funeral were in motion, and all hope seemed lost, but hold on… Jesus was on the way!
b) As long as God is still moving in your situation, it does not matter how humanly dead it seems!
c) Mary and Martha stopped believing when Lazarus stopped breathing, but Jesus still believed! God still had a plan. The situation was “over” for Mary, Martha, and obviously Lazarus. But the situation was not “over” for God, and until God says it’s over, it’s not over!
2. It’s never too late for God.
a) Jesus did not show up when Mary and Martha wanted Him to. When He did show up, they thought He was too late. But it’s never too late for God.
b) The humanly impossible is possible for God. There is nothing He can’t do, no limit He can’t surpass, no boundary He can’t cross, no obstacle He can’t overcome, and no seemingly dead issue He can’t resurrect!
3. We serve a God who can give LIFE to dead situations!
a) The Word the Lord gave me for this year is, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation!” The Father told me that He would manifest Himself in our lives in a supernatural way. Once we are Born-Again, the supernatural is supposed to be natural to us. But unfortunately, many believers resign to living lives that are completely normal to this world. They don’t believe God for the supernatural at all. This pains God. Jesus did not die, and the Father did not send you His Spirit, so you could live the same way you lived before being Born-Again.
b) I am teaching on the miracles of Jesus so you can expand your capacity to believe God! The more you believe, the more you will experience. The more you believe, the more God can do in your life!
c) We serve a God who can give LIFE to dead situations. It does not matter how DEAD your situation seems in the natural, if you sense the Lord bringing the situation back up this morning, it is because He wants to resurrect it and show you His power through it! Open your heart to the supernatural. Believe God for the impossible today!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. Your Word this morning is helping me grow my faith. I better understand that it is never too late for You. So I declare that I will never give up, I will not lose heart, I will not throw in the towel of my faith, and I will not relax the grip I have on my expectation unless You tell me to. My situation is not over until You say it’s over. So unless You tell me something different, I believe You will show-up, show-out, and show yourself strong in my situation. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
