The Raising of Lazarus

In our series ‘The Miraculous & The Mundane’, we looked at the last of John’s seven sighs, miracles which Jesus did during His lifetime. (John 11:1-44) This sign is obviously the most spectacular, since to have the power to bring Lazarus back to life after four days in the tomb demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt the truth of Jesus’s statement, ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life.’ (John 11:25) Yet despite the very visible and popular nature of this miracle (which led to many people coming to believe in Jesus), we see also much that is confusing in this narrative.

This was not the only time Jesus raised someone from the dead (see Luke 8:49-56, Luke 11:7-12), nor the only example of this in the Bible (see 1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4:18-37, 2 Kings 13:20-21, Acts 9:36-42, Acts 20:7-12). But we see clearly here the bewilderment of Jesus’s disciples, the pain and grief of Martha and Mary, and the confusion that arose because of Jesus’s delay in responding to the initial call for help. This reminds us that delay and confusion can be as much a part of the miraculous as anything else. Jesus clearly knew from the start what He was going to do and how this would bring glory to God, but still there was grief and anguish to endure.

We see in Jesus’s weeping at the tomb His total empathy with those who suffer and are reminded that He is indeed isaiah’s suffering servant (see Is 53:3) who never leaves us or forsakes us, even when we do not understand His timing or ways. His ultimate victory over death (echoed in 1 Cor 15:54-57) comes to show who us He is and what He can do, but this miracle still requires human help (to take off the grave clothes) and faith. We have a hope beyond the grave, for Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. There is nothing too difficult for Him, so we can call on Him today for deliverance and help, and He will surely come. Though we may have to wait for His arrival, He will not leave us; He will not forsake us. (Heb 13:5) Habakkuk spoke of a revelation of God and said, ‘Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’ (Hab 2:3) Miracles may seem to linger and be delayed, just as Jesus waited another two days before setting off to Lazarus, but we can be sure that the Resurrection and the Life will come at the right time, and that when He arrives, we will be changed beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Coming Soon…

Easter is on the horizon, and we have a busy week planned with Easter celebrations.

We will be joining with other local churches in an Easter Family Fun Day on Wednesday 5th April between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Furlong Road Methodist Church in Bolton-on-Dearne. We’ll be doing Easter crafts and re-telling the Easter story. Lunch is provided. Please contact Julie on 07729 421405 or email julie@gpcchurch.co.uk to book in to this free event to help with numbers for catering.

On Thursday 6th April between 1 and 4.30 p.m. we’ll be joining with other community groups at the Spring Fair at Goldthorpe Railway Embankment. We’ll be doing crafts and telling the Easter story, but there’ll also be an Easter bonnet competition and other activities happening on site.

On Good Friday (7th April) we’ll meet together at GPCC for a fellowship meal at 5 p.m. and will hold a short service afterwards at 6 p.m.

On Easter Saturday (8th April) we will hold our coffee morning, but will be doing lots extra there to raise funds for a summer trip to Flamingo Land for families who attend our Parent & Toddler group. There’ll be a table top sale, a tombola, raffle and Easter games to play!

On Easter Sunday, services will be at 10.30 and 6.00 p.m.

We hope to see you at these events!

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

This evening at our ‘Little Big Church’ service, we looked at stories, exploring what kind of stories we like (fairy stories, princess stories, romances, science fiction, crime novels and so on) and what is needed to make a good story (interesting characters, good plot, interesting language and, especially in children’s literature, illustrations.)
Jesus often told stories (parables) to communicate, for a story draws us into active participation. Lately, we have been looking at parables: how the Good Samaritan teaches us about loving our neighbour and helping others, how the parables of the lost coin, lost sheep and lost son remind us of God’s love for each one of us, how the parable of the Sower teaches us about God’s word and what is needed for spiritual growth (we saw how the cress seeds planted last month had grown as well!)
Paul tells us we are all letters from Christ (2 Cor 3:3). He wants us to realise that we all have stories to tell, stories of testimony (Ps 107:2). The greatest story ever penned is the story of God, and we can play an important part in this story. God has great plans for each one of us and can use us to spread His love and fame to others. Do we want to be part of God’s story?

I am a new creation

Dave spoke this morning from 2 Corinthians 5:17, a verse that reminds us of our identity, ‘new creations’ in Christ Jesus. It is easy to take our relationship with God for granted, but this verse reminds us of the tremendous change which takes place in our lives when God comes into our lives. Formerly, we were in Adam, following in his path of disobedience, but Christ gives us the opportunity (and power) to change.
The Old Testament cities of refuge provided protection and shelter; people were safe once they were in them. Similarly, we need to be ‘in’ Christ- abiding in the vine, as John 15 makes clear. We are dependent on Him. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and changes us completely. The old has gone and the new has come. Christ creates us anew; we are the work of God.
Our new nature means that we no longer have to live as we used to. There is a freshness and newness to life in Christ!

Mindful Moments (2)

Our second ‘Mindful Moments’ evening last Monday was another great opportunity to be involved in art and creativity, including writing. Our thanks to Pat Moore for her help in talking about writing and to all who attended.

Then You Will Know…

Dave spoke this evening from Exodus 6:1-9, focussing on the verse ‘Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ Often, the hardest questions we have to answer are those connnected to personal suffering. When we are ill, we wonder where God our healer is; when we suffer financial difficulties, we wonder where is the God who meets all our needs? When we feel we are stagnating, we question where the God who guides is; when we are depressed, we wonder where is the God who gives joy? Israel must have had many questions as to why God allowed them to suffer in Egypt for 430 years, but at the right time – a time known only to God – He sent Moses to ask Pharaoh to let His peopke go.
The people suffered; they saw God move in miraculous ways through the ten plagues on Egypt, but perhaps failed to understand that these plagues were intended to show the Egyptians who God really was. The Egyptians worshipped many gods, but ultimately none could do what the God of Israel did. God’s power was displayed for all to see.
The principle we see at work throughout the Bible is that in everything God does, His priority is that everyone knows He is the Lord; He alone will get the glory. God’s timing and purpose are not related to our ideas, but He works at the right time and for our ultimate good in everything. (Rom 8:28, Gal 4:4) Holding on to this truth in difficult times may not be easy, but we must learn, as Moses did, that He is the Lord our God.