Life and Death Coexist in a Complex Way

This week in the 33 AD series, Lead Pastor Erwin McManus walks us through a powerful passage in the Gospel of John about a man named Lazarus. 

Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus and fell very ill. Jesus received the news of his sickness but stayed in another town for two  days before he went to see Lazarus. In that short time, Lazarus died. When Jesus reached Lazarus’ home town, Lazarus’ sister Mary greeted him with reproach. She told him, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." 

She knew he had the power to heal Lazarus, but believed he delayed his arrival on purpose and it cost her brother his life. She had faith in the power of Jesus, but not his character. 

When Jesus found out that Lazarus had died, the Scriptures say that ‘He wept.’  In this moment, we see the heart of Jesus on display as he took the time to embrace the painful loss of someone he loved deeply. 

Then the story takes a miraculous turn as Jesus goes to Judea and heals Lazarus, raising him from the dead. 

Pastor Erwin shares that we are either running from pain or running to life. 

When we run away from our pain, we can miss the life that Jesus wants to bring through our pain. 

Tune into this powerful message and be reminded that life is calling you, even in your darkest moments.