In John 11, Jesus was contacted because Lazarus was sick. He waited a couple days before he went to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He told his disciples that “this sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God.” They didn’t completely understand what Jesus was saying. As he arrived, Martha ran to meet him. Martha professed her faith that if He had been there her brother would not have died. He said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Joh 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Joh 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

She stated she knew He is the Christ. In Jesus we have forever life. As Christians, as we face sickness and death around us, this is so important to remember. This life is just a dressing room for eternity. We can face a pandemic with eternity in view, knowing our eternity is secure in Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. We have a great hope in Christ.

Next Mary ran to see him. Her weeping affected him deeply. It says he groaned in his spirit and was troubled.

Joh 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
Joh 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
Joh 11:35 Jesus wept.
Joh 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Joh 11:37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Joh 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Joh 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Joh 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Joh 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Joh 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Though he knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead in a moment, yet he wept with her. He entered into her grief. He cared deeply about her sorrow. As we grieve in our own sickness or the sickness of our loved ones or even the death of a loved one, Jesus enters into that sorrow with us. He cares deeply about your sorrow. In Jesus we also have a great comforter.

In Psalm 18, it says the sorrows of death compasseth me, or surround me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid, the sorrows of hell compassed me about. In my distress, I called upon the Lord and cried unto my God… and you know what happened.. He heard his cry.

I have felt compassed about by sorrow lately. My family suffers so much with health problems. My Dad has been sick for decades and has suffered much. My brother has been sick for decades and has suffered much. He is in a nursing home and can’t walk anymore and is only 52. My daughter now has an autoimmune disease that is very serious. I have been sick for 16 years myself. Chronic illness gets overwhelming. But the Lord heard my cry and He cares. He entered into my grief and showed me all of this through His Word as I sat at His feet. I am so grateful for the God of All Comfort. I so appreciate His faithful presence in sorrow.

As we face coronavirus spreading so quickly across our state and our world, we can face it with God’s presence and help. He cares deeply about us and wants us to come to Him with our every care (1 Peter 5:7). But most important is that you are ready for eternity, that you have dealt with the sin in you that separates you from God, that you have turned from your sin and put all your faith in Christ to save you (Acts 20:21).

What matters most is what have you done with Jesus? Do you know Him as your Saviour? He came that you might have victory over sin, his presence in your suffering, and eternity with Him when this life is over. Remember this life is just a dressing room for eternity. God can use this time of quarantine to draw many to Himself and we can face sickness and death with hope if we have eternal life in Christ. Contact us if you would like more information.