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I AM GLAD

John 11:11-15
"11 These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."

We are continuing our FALL sermon series about the Seasons of Life titled; Flavors of Fall. This week we will study FALLING into GOD'S Arms! Yesterday was All Saints Day. The day we remember the saints that came before us and allow the memory of their FAITH to encourage our own worship and inspire greater service to the Lord. 

This worship service is always filled with strong emotions and mixed feelings. We remember all who have gone before us. The loved ones who passed in the last years and the ones in the years before. This is a time we we can all feel our own mortality. Remembering the close calls, trips to the ER and the like; we will ALL become Saints TOO. 

For our devotional study of this tender subject we turn to the traumatic events of Lazarus being raised from the DEAD!!! As recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter eleven. Jesus and His Disciples have just had their own brush with DEATH as the Jewish leaders tried to stone Jesus for BLASPHEMY! Now in verse eleven Jesus begins to break the news to His friends that their friend, Lazarus, has passed away. No one expected Lazarus to die; it was unexpected and unbelievable. Today's verses; "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep." It's confusing to try to wrap your mind something you do not expect. There may even be a little bit of denial here, "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." No big deal, he's just resting. 

"Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is DEAD." He is not sleeping, he has passed away. They were all close friends and this news is heart breaking. Grief is creeping into their hearts and minds as they slowly begin to understand the "news."

We can wonder if any of the Disciples we startled by Jesus next statement; "And I AM GLAD for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." NOT knowing how this event unfolds it would have been great if Jesus had been there and able to miraculously heal Lazarus like He has healed so many others. His Disciples were already believers, so this next series of events will take them to the next level in their spiritual growth. And, now they are on their feet and hoofing it to Bethany where Lazarus is being buried!

An interesting overview and history of All Saints Day:
https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/all-saints-day-november-1.html
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