In Memory
Debbie Burger Miller
Meeting Jesus at a Grave
“So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him…” John 11:20
1. In the way God’s world operates, we have paradox. Opposites that are both true at the same time. Therefore we receive life as it comes to us.
- “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” Vs. 3
2. Sometimes, God is confusing. Therefore we lean not on our own understanding.
- “This illness does not lead to death.” Vs. 4
- “Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died.” Vs. 14
3. God rarely follows the schedule we have for Him. Therefore we embrace time as it comes to us.
- “He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.” Vs. 17
4. God’s emotions are often misunderstood as a lack of internal integrity, weakness and the inability to accomplish His own claims. Therefore, we learn to understand the meaning of God’s emotions.
- “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15
- “Jesus wept.” Vs. 35
5. God seems all about tomorrow and some distant eternity. Therefore we become completely wrapped in His grace for today.
- “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Vs. 24
- “I am the resurrection and the life.” Vs. 25
6. When the funeral is completed, the grave-side service long past, and the casket lid over the shattered hopes and dreams has been slammed shut, you discover the radiant joy that your endings are God’s new beginnings. Your graves are God’s incubators. Jesus’ tears are temporary. Your deaths are God’s resurrections.
- “Lazarus, come forth.”
- “Unbind him, and let him go.” Vs. 44