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"IF"

John 11:16-21
"16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

This week we will study FALLING into GOD'S Arms! Sunday 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. 

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 just had their own brush with DEATH as the Jewish leaders tried to stone Jesus for BLASPHEMY! In our reading Jesus broke the news to His friends that, Lazarus, has passed away. It's confusing to try to wrap your mind something you do not expect. 

"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.

Jesus next statement; "And I AM GLAD for your sakes that I was not there," It would have been great if Jesus had been there and able to miraculously heal Lazarus like He has healed so many others. 

In today's verses we begin with a profound expression of grief, possibly an expression of the feelings and conversation on their journey to Bethany; "Let us also go, that we may die with him." We should let the death of our friends affect us so much that we wish to die too. God has a plan for us all.

After their LONG WALK Jesus and His Disciples find that Lazarus was buried days ago; "Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already." AND! MANY Jews from Jerusalem were there to mourn his death; "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to COMFORT THEM concerning their brother."

Then as Jesus arrives we get confirmation that this family BELIEVES; "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, IF Thou hadst been here, my brother had NOT died." Isn't this how we all approach our Lord and Savior? We think we can berate Him for not healing our brothers when He will give them life after life!!!

For an OUTSTANDING discussion on All Saints Day please listen to this podcast; https://issuesetc.org/2021/11/02/looking-forward-to-sunday-morning-3-year-lectionary-all-saints-day-dr-carl-fickenscher-11-3-27/
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