Covering dust with dirt will one day cease

John 11 (as some of our students have said to us concerning selected verses that they have found during these past weeks – “you have to read this one when you have some time.”) starts out with some loved ones sending word to Jesus that His dear friend is sick (“The one you love is sick.”). Throughout the story you never see them telling Jesus what to do although they are implying by their responses what they thought He would do. But what takes place in this story catches everyone by complete surprise the whole way through the story (again, you have to read John 11 to get the whole picture that Jesus is painting to us who are still reading His word today).

To make a potentially long blog short – Jesus’ friend dies and FOUR (4) days later Jesus shows up. FOUR days seemed like eternity to those in this story - All hope is gone, all emotions spent, all plan a, b, c, d, etc. failed, all time as passed, and the end of the story from those who were living then was completed. “Lets just cry and remember a little more of what this friend meant to us now that it is all over” (greatly paraphrased).

But Jesus was not done with the picture yet and to this day He is still reminding us in this story that what was pictured in John 11 is yet to come for all who have called upon HIS Name. 4 days after this man, who Jesus loved dearly, was dead… Jesus raises him back to life. No one saw that coming!

Covering dust (what man’s body turns to after death) with dirt (bury) will one day cease. One day Jesus will return and those who waited not just 4 days but thousands of years will experience what has been pictured throughout scripture …no more turning to dust will then become a reality to all in Christ. We will be either raptured to be with Him or those who are asleep (dead in Christ) will go from dust to glory (1 Thes. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-52). And believe me, it is by far worth the wait. (Rev. 22:20- “O Lord Jesus Come!)

So as I sit here this evening waiting on the dear and careful doctors to decide what procedure should come first (cancer or aneurism surgery) I am wonderfully reminded – it is worth the wait. To learn this lesson – waiting for a few days – can help us understand what all creation has been waiting for over the ages.

“O Lord Jesus, waiting is a marvelous mystery to me. You created the entire universe in 6 days and you have us now waiting… YOUR will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. We gladly wait on You, King Jesus. We love you and can hardly wait till you come. Amen.”