Parallel between Lazarus and Covid-19

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26 NIV

Holy Week is nearly upon us. Quite possibly today is the day in history that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Are you familiar with the story? If not, I’ll give a short synopsis.

Lazarus, one of Jesus’s friends, got sick. His two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” From this we can gather that they were close friends. Jesus responds in an odd way, He does nothing.

Lazarus died. After he had been dead 4 days, Jesus shows up. Martha meets Him and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

I love Martha’s faith. She recognizes that if Jesus had come just a few days earlier, her brother may not be dead. But she’s not without hope, she acknowledges that if He asked the Father for a miracle, it would happen.

Lazarus and the Covid-19 Connection

Take a moment and think about how you are feeling right now in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis in which we are currently living. Does if feel like Jesus hasn’t shown up? Are you watching the news and asking the Lord where He is? Are you sending word to Him that the ones He loves are sick? Do you have hope?

Jesus responds to Martha, “You brother will rise again.” She knows he will at the end of time. And that’s when Jesus responds with today’s verses.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though He dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. I don’t believe for a minute that He is orchestrating this whole pandemic to bring judgment on the world. Jesus bore our sin and the Father’s judgment on the cross. Once that happened, sin was judged. Jesus took all the judgment. Not some of it. All of it.

Jesus reminds us in this verse that He is life. He brings life. Isn’t that what the resurrection is all about? He was dead and then He was alive. When He died He conquered sin. When He rose again He conquered death. This statement by Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life,” is full of hope.

He goes on to say that even if we die, we will live. Meaning if we put our trust in Jesus, we will live eternally with Him because our spirit will live on.

Martha is faced with a sobering question by Jesus, “Do you believe this?” Friends, do you believe He is the resurrection and the life? Do you believe that even if you die, you will live? Have you put your faith in Jesus? He is reaching out to each of us during this time asking us, “Do you believe this?”

And then Jesus weeps over the loss of a friend. As you may be facing loss, Jesus is with you. He sees you and His heart is breaking for your pain. He’s not in Heaven throwing out judgment, He is reaching down to walk this path with us. He sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Breathe that in. He is our comfort. Romans 8:1 tells us “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He is not condemning you or me, instead He is loving us.

After showing us His human side that grieved a loss, He demonstrated His divine side and raised Lazarus from the dead. This miracle is the straw that broke the camels back to the religious community…they begin to plan how to bring Him down. The crowd that met Him on Palm Sunday showed up because of this incredible miracle.

As we look toward Holy Week, take time to reflect on this question, “Do you believe this?” I’m reminded of John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Do you believe that our God is a good God with life planned for you? And not just any life, but life to the full or an abundant life? He wants a personal relationship with you.

It may appear that God is late to this crisis. He is not. He is here with us, in the middle of it all. Look for Him. You will find Him.

*Stop the Lies: 30 Days to Freedom, my latest book, is available on Amazon. Click here to purchase your copy and a copy for a friend.