If only

If only

There is a phrase that we use from time to time when something bad or tragic has happened in our lives, and that phrase is, "if only." You know, if only he wouldn't have gone to work today he wouldn't of got in that car accident, if only she would have been more careful, if only he would have eaten healthier, they would still be here. We use this thinking to help us live in some nostalgic fantasy of what could've been. This is common for us because death wasn't in our original plan, and through time have lost the big picture view. In John chapter 11 Jesus' friend Lazarus gets sick, word gets to Jesus and instead of coming immediately he waits a couple days. After a couple days Jesus lets his disciples know it was time to leave because Lazarus was dead. When word got to Mary and Martha (siblings of Lazarus) that Jesus was coming Mary stayed and Martha came to talk with Jesus, this is what she said, "“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21, 22 NIV) Martha drops an "if only" on Jesus! If only you were here my brother wouldn't have died! You can feel the grief and pain in her voice. Jesus gives her comfort by saying "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” The words were good but you can almost feel her thoughts, "I know he will he loved you and served god I know he will, but what now." As Martha answered with , “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:23, 24 NIV) but Jesus brings the future to her present and lets her know, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die...” (John 11:25, 26 NIV) he lets her know I am that resurrection day, I am the one who brings death to life, I AM! He calls out of the tomb to his friend and says Lazarus come out, after being dead a few days Jesus speaks life into him, he is showing prior to his own death and resurrection that He and only he has power over death! But wait there is even better news, Jesus brings life to our present also, he brings life that pulls us out of our own death, our spiritual death, our emotional death, our addictions, abuse, pain, discomfort, grief, whatever we are struggling with our God sends that same spirit that led both Lazarus and Christ to rise from their tombs to us, to rise out of our earthly physical and emotional tombs as well! In John 11:26 Jesus leaves Martha with a question, Jesus said to her. "Do you believe this?” (John 11:26 NIV) this is her response to the question, which came before Jesus brought back her brother, “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27 NIV) I leave you with the same question, do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God that he came and conquered death so that you will not perish but have eternal life? If you said yes to this and have not yet been baptized find me lets talk, if you answered no to this and you are struggling to find where Jesus fits for you, find me, comment me, or email me ghavinn.crutcher@elkgrovechurchofchrist.org I would love to talk to you about this amazing gift of Christ!

May God lead you always, shining his blessings upon you, bringing you life, so you may live it to the full!