God can be trusted.

Last week, I was listening to a podcast of sorts. It was a sermon that I had heard live at the Brooklyn Tabernacle way back in 2013 by Dr. Ben Gutiérrez, of liberty university.

Dr. Ben was speaking to a group of pastors on the subject that God can be trusted. 

His text for the day was John chapter 11. It’s a passage that several of us had read many times before and many of us have preached about it. 

What stood out to me from this sermon— again, maybe for the first time; a lot of water has gone under the bridge since I heard him speak live. 

He stated that the main verse, the key to understanding the events of John chapter 11 is verse 5. If, he said, you don’t understand verse 5, nothing else in this story will make sense. If you don’t grasp that verse 5 of John chapter 11, you will never know that God can be trusted. 

Here, are the first few verses of John 11, taken from the NIV:

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days…” (You can read the entire passage here.)

Jesus and Mary and Martha and Lazarus were BFF’s. No question about it. He often found himself at their home. 

On this particular day, Jesus received word that His BFF Lazarus was dead. Jesus received this message by way of messengers and they had made sure to include in this note that “the one you love is sick”, almost to remind Him that Lazarus was his BFF.

When Jesus heard this, He said that Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death, and then He proceeded to STAY WHERE HE WAS for an extra few days. 

What? Jesus received word that His friend was sick and he has the gaul to hang around where He was for an extra few days. 

This is why, Dr. Ben said— and after thinking about it for at least a week— I’m starting to agree with him, that verse 5 is the pivotal point in this passage. 

Let’s look at it again Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

In the original language, the word “Loved” used here is different that the word “love” that the messengers used to tell Jesus his BFF was sick. 

in verse 3, the word for love is more of a Brotherly love. a Deep friendship love, but in verse 5, Jesus used another word for love.. its a deep deep deep deep deep deep love. an agape love. So much more than just brotherly love. He Loved Him. He loved him with an unconditional live. He loved Him to the core of His bones. He loved Lazarus. 

As the story progresses, Jesus makes His way to Bethany, and is confronted by Martha, who makes a statement something to the effect of, If you had been here Jesus, by brother would still be alive…” (When Mary meets up with Jesus, she said the exact same thing.. leading us to believe that Martha was a leader, and her sister followed what she did very closely… leaders, be careful what you say.. people are watching)

Jesus then proceed to heal Lazarus. Much more than heal him actually. He brought Lazarus back from the dead. 

this miracle, would be the tipping point that would lead Jesus to the Cross. It would be the “red line in the sand” that Jesus had crossed that would begin the beginning of the end… or the end of the beginning.

Anyway, what does this have to do with your life today? 

Always remember John 11:5. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

Nothing in this world—in your world— will make sense unless, and until you understand that Jesus loves you more than you will ever realize. 

When all hell breaks loose; when you happen to be in the ICU wondering what in the world is going on, God will show up in the form of a sermon that was recorded 5 years ago and have you listen to the whole thing and have you understand that yes, life may not be what you’re expecting right this moment, but God still loves me and can be trusted to do the right thing, all the time, because He LOVES you. 

Not with a brotherly love. With an agape love. An unconditional love. a love that doesn't change based on your circumstances. A love that remains constant in your circumstances. 

The Key to understanding John 11 is verse 5 and the Key to understanding our lives is John 11:5. God loves us. 

If you are having a rotten day, a good for nothing, a I want to stand up and Hulk Smash someone, or even if you are having the best day, the best week, the best month you've ever had, God loves you and He can be trusted. He can be trusted to do the right thing at the right time in the right place. Even if He's four days late. 

Just for fun, this miracle happened to be number 30 in Jesus’ life up until this point. The people that had been with Jesus, and had seen all— or at the very least heard reports about all 29 miracles. 

You would think that they would think back and remember all the 29 miracles that He had preformed, and think that ‘if he had the Power to do that miracle, then He has the Power to do this miracle.” 

The same goes for us. When we are in the midst of our storm, we would do well to pray for help and then reflect back on how God came through in the past, and how He will come through in the present and the future, because He loves us. It might not be how we had in mind, but it will be exactly right, because God doesn't make a mistake. 

God could be trusted then, and God can be trusted today. Because He Loves us. 

Take some time today and commit to memory John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” 

The same love Jesus had for His BFF’s He has for you. And He can be trusted.