SICKNESS
"Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord,
behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." -- John 11:3
Our Lord's friend, Lazarus,
was very sick. When his sisters saw their brother in grave danger, they sent
this message to the Lord Jesus, -- "He
whom thou lovest is sick." Martha and Mary knew that Lazarus' sickness
was not an indication of the Lord's anger or displeasure. And they knew that
the Lord Jesus could, if he would, heal Lazarus of his ailment. So they simply
sent a word to Christ to inform him of their hearts' trouble, saying "He whom thou lovest is sick."
In that brief sentence they
implied their faith in and submission to the Lord Jesus. You can almost read
between the letters and see the comfort of their hearts. These two dear women
were hurting. Their brother was dying. But they found comfort in Christ.
Our Savior’s Empathy
How much sickness we have
seen! It hurts to see loved ones and friends suffer and die, even when we are
confident of their saving interest in Christ. But, in the midst of pain, there
is comfort and strength for God's people in Christ. Our Lord himself has been
there (Matt.8:17).
Our Master will never call
upon us to walk any path he has not walked before us. Whatever we suffer in
this world, our Lord suffered that and more to redeem us. We have a
sympathizing High Priest in heaven (Heb. 4:15-16). Because Christ lived as a
man upon the earth, he is touched with that which touches our hearts, moved by
that which moves us, and feels that which we feel. How it helps to know that a
friend understands what we feel in our hearts. And when that Friend is God our
Savior, that is help indeed!
Our Savior’s Presence
The Lord assures us of his
presence to help in the time of trouble (Isa. 43:1-4). He will hold you, when
you have nothing to hold. He will strengthen you, when all strength is gone. He
will help you when you are helpless. Our tender Lord will, himself, be a nurse
to help us (Ps. 41:3). He will turn you upon the bed of languishing and make
you comfortable in the midst of great sorrow, pain, and trouble.
Our Savior’s Promise
This, too, gives great
comfort to believing hearts. -- The sickness of God's saints is never unto
death (John 11:4). It may bring about the dissolving of this tabernacle of
clay. But when this body is dissolved, then we begin to live; for to be absent
from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #874
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net