Jesus knows the way home

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Psalm 23

Let me start with words from a wonderful writer, Max Lucado and his book 'Travelling Light.'

'The twists and turns of life have a way of reminding us- we aren't home here. This is not our homeland. We aren't fluent in the languages of disease and death. The culture confuses the heart, the noise disrupts our sleep, and we feel far from home.'*

                                        
I have wanted to write a post about death for a while. But it's not easy. I worry about being insensitive, about intruding on people's grief. I even wonder if I am qualified, not having yet had to grieve for those closest family ties.

But of course I am qualified. We are all going to die, me included. And as a Christian I have a wonderful hope, wonderful news about death. How unloving am I if I keep it to myself.

Jesus faced death. 
He conquered death.
He is alive.
And he knows the way home. 
He can take you there. 

I love the story in the book of John where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Not just because of the hope it offers of death conquered, not just because of the immense power Jesus has that even death cannot withstand, but because once again Jesus meet us where we are in all our humanness.

There are two bereaved sisters in the story. One goes out to meet Jesus and the other stays home. I will start with the second sister, Mary. She doesn't go out to meet Jesus. He asks for her. Then she goes, falls at his feet and weeps.

'When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.' Where have you laid him?' he asked. 
'Come and see Lord', they replied.
Jesus wept. 
(John 11:34-35)

Now there may be a significance to this that I am completely missing, but my reaction to this is one of amazement and gratitude- that Jesus, the Son of God, who is about to raise Lazarus from the dead- still, when faced with death, he weeps. He joins us in our grief and distress at death.

We are not, I think, as Max Lucado puts it, 'fluent in the languages of disease and death' because we are not meant to be, we are not made that way. Disease and death are part of the world which is in rebellion to God, as are all our hearts if we are really honest with ourselves. One day death and disease will be no more.

Back to the first sister, Martha. She shows enormous faith even in her grief, acknowledging that even now Jesus can do anything he wants. (Which reminds me, one amazing thing about knowing Jesus is we never have to despair.) And Jesus speaks wonderful words to her:


Jesus said, 'Your brother will be raised up.'
Martha replied, 'I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.
   'You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?'
    (John chapter 11: 23-26, The Message translation)

And Jesus goes on to call Lazarus out of the tomb.

As wonderful as that miracle is, it's not the best one.

I sometimes feel a bit sorry for Lazarus. He had to face death twice. The real miracle, the real treasure, is that in facing and enduring death himself, and in rising again, Jesus made it possible for us to live forever with him. He holds out the offer of eternal life.

The God of the bible not only joins us in our humanness and weeps with us in our grief. He actually walks through what we walk through. He faced death, he felt its terror, he died. Then he destroyed death.

I imagine that facing death is a very lonely thing. But we will not be alone. Jesus knows what it's like. He never leaves us. And he promises to take us home. So trust him.

'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' John 3:16

Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me... Psalm 23

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying  or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.   Revelation 21
 

*Max Lucado, Travelling Light, pg. 153

I don't want to talk about it...

I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; 

I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power

Psalm 40

When I started to write this blog I wasn't at all sure, beyond the first few posts, what I would write about. It's not easy to talk about faith. I want to write in a way that invites many people to read, not just those who already believe what I believe. I thought I would stick with safe topics, so as not to upset anyone, keep it cosy and fluffy. But I am realising that life is not fluffy and neither is most of the Bible, and that I am not doing anyone any favours by doing that. So I am going to try and tackle some topics that I'd rather avoid. It won't be comprehensive but from a personal viewpoint. I am not a Bible scholar just an ordinary person living out my faith. I intend to be completely honest about my own struggles too. Messy faith.

I meet up once a week with some friends to study the Bible. Currently we are studying Revelation. It's a challenge although also an encouragement. It's like having a heavenly light shone on the world to see what's really going on (although it's a bit like reading code!) But it isn't a comfortable or easy read. One of the topics that has left me feeling uncomfortable is God's judgement.

We don't like to talk about it do we? I don't anyway. We want to hear about a God of love not a God of judgement. We find it hard to see through his eyes why judgement is even necessary at times. We aren't all that bad are we? And as for going up to family and friends and telling them that judgement is coming, well, I just don't feel right doing it.

A couple of things. Firstly, with judgement comes justice. And surely we all agree that justice is good.
And despite my tendencies to want to justify myself and claim to be 'not that bad', the more time I spend with God, reading his words, the more I realise how much I need his forgiveness.

 Time for some honesty. I didn't become a Christian overnight, I kind of grew into it. And this deal of God judging people, this heaven and hell thing, was nearly a deal breaker with me. I could understand why he would need to judge dictators and murderers but my family and friends- really? God solved my dilemma by asking me a simple question. Do you trust me?

For those of you who think I am weird for saying God spoke to me, it wasn't an audible voice but just an impression that landed on my heart. I remember that moment as clear as day.

And the answer was, and is, yes I do trust him. Look to Jesus and you see the kind of judge we have.
 
In chapter 8 of John's gospel the religious leaders bring before him a woman caught in adultery. They have judged her already and are all ready to stone her. But Jesus, the only one qualified to do so (as he points out to them), does not condemn her. Go and read it. It's beautiful.

Jesus, who from the cross, dying a painful death he did not deserve, prayed 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.' (Luke 23:24).

There's a famous story about kids in Sunday school who think the answer to every question is Jesus. Well once again I think the kids have got it right. For me, the answer always is- Jesus.