heaven

The Glory of God: Lessons from Lazarus’ Resurrection

/ Richard Bargas / Leave a comment

“Jesus said, ‘Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’” (John 11:39–40, LSB) 

Mary and her sister Martha must have sat together, grieving in their home as they waited for Jesus. Why was He delayed? They knew He loved them and had informed Him of Lazarus’s sickness in time for Jesus to rush in and heal their brother. What happened?

The fact that both sisters told Jesus the same thing, almost verbatim, leads me to believe they had discussed this very truth: if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died (see vv. 21, 32). In fact, it seems the gathered mourners may have overheard their conversation and reached the same conclusion, but they used it as proof that Jesus was a sham (v. 37) or not powerful enough to prevent Lazarus’ sickness from leading to death.

However, instead of stopping the sickness, Jesus allowed the illness to take His friend’s life. Not only did Jesus wait long enough for the disease to do its damage, but he also missed the funeral and burial. Lazarus had been dead for four days, and in the Middle East, decomposition of bodies begins quickly. 

The question of whether Jesus could heal a sick friend was settled in the minds of Mary and Martha but remained uncertain for the watching crowd. However, Jesus didn’t want to just heal a sick man; He aimed to demonstrate that His power surpassed that of an ordinary doctor. The crowd was intrigued by a man who could supposedly heal the blind (a more complicated healing) but seemed unable to heal a sick man (a simpler task typically handled by doctors and basic medical remedies).

Christ saw and knew all of this. If He healed Lazarus, people would likely dismiss the healing. If He raised him immediately from the dead, some might argue that Lazarus hadn’t truly died. However, after four days in the tomb and being already decomposed, there could be no doubt that this was a case beyond the ability of anyone but God. A miracle was necessary.

I enjoy watches and clocks, especially the beautiful mechanical clockworks that demonstrate precision and craftsmanship. I have a few clocks on which I have performed some minor repairs, creating the wonderful “tick-tock” sound in my study that I enjoy. I’m not sure if there will be clocks in the eternal state, but I do know that God won’t be constrained by them as we are now. God’s timing doesn’t align with ours.

Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to stop death. The crowd doubted He could do it. Jesus delayed. All of these aspects often puzzle us because we tend to believe that God wants things to happen our way and in our time. But in this account, Jesus shattered that notion.

God does things in mysterious ways that I don’t understand, and probably never will. He lets disaster happen and then causes the circumstances to work out perfectly. He makes our manure work out to be fertilizer for the flowers to grow. I’d avoid the mess, but our infinitely wise God knows better.

But even more important than how everything turns out for you and me is what it teaches us about God. In verse 40, Jesus pulls back the curtain and shows us why everything needed to happen this way. He said, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Why wait and let Lazarus die, causing such grief for these two sisters He loved? Why wait and endure all the suffering and expense of a funeral? Because God wanted to teach His children something. The lesson? “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.”

I don’t think Jesus was speaking only about the glory He would receive in that moment from bringing Lazarus back to life. I believe He was referring to the greater glory when He speaks and the dead in Christ will rise, bringing about the resurrection of all the dead (Jn 5:25-32). The brief glimpse of what He did before all those people that day was merely a sample of what is to come. On that day, all who believe will witness the glory of God in a way this world has never seen.

So, dear reader, what are you facing today? Be careful not to grumble and complain against God for leading you through it. I know you might believe you had a better plan for your day, but trust me, you don’t. God has a perfect purpose for why you are experiencing whatever you are going through. Trust Him; He knows what He’s doing. 

Finding Hope in Chaos: Isaiah 6:1 Reflection

/ Richard Bargas / Leave a comment

“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1, LSB)

Over the last couple of days, I have watched as the world ponders what could have been, and what might be.

  • A former US President and current candidate for the United States Presidency was almost assassinated.
  • Today, the headlines are swirling around a major tech upheaval as computer systems all over the world are causing problems for airlines, 911 emergency systems, banking, and a host of other issues related to our hyper-networked world.
  • And if that wasn’t enough, the calls for the current President of the United States to step out of the race due to growing concerns within the Democratic party over his ability to win his race against Donald Trump.

If I may, I want to jump back to the days that the words of Isaiah were written to connect some dots for my Christian readers. King Uzziah’s fall is described in 2 Chronicles 26:16-23. Although this king of Judah had started off well, his latter days were lived in the hous of a leper because he forgot who he was before God. This is a point we all need to watch for in our own lives. Our success is a matter of God’s grace upon us, and we need to watch our own hearts lest we well up with pride, the downfall of so many.

However, a more significant point touched my heart this morning as I meditated on the current events in our world, particularly in the US. The downfall and death of Uzziah must have been a shocking blow to the kingdom. This king, who was undoubtedly loved because of his faithfulness and care for his people, reigned over his kingdom for 52 years, taking the throne at the tender age of 16 (2Chron 26:3). America has never had a president reign in office for anywhere close to that time. The news of how he was stricken by God with leprosy in judgment must have been a severe blow to the nation, and then his eventual death must have brought the whole kingdom into a deep sense of mourning.

But Isaiah 6:1 is a passage that we need to ponder for our days. We could insert our own national calamities…

  • “In the year that Donald Trump was almost assassinated…”
  • “In the year that computer systems crashed and left our nation paralyzed…”
  • “In the year that two planes were flown into the twin towers in New York city…”
  • “In the year that…”

Who knows what will come tomorrow or next week? It seems like so much is coming quickly that we hardly have any time to breathe. How does the Christian faith deal with such chaotic times? Let’s read the rest of Isaiah 6:1: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple.“

While the kingdom of Judah was reeling in national grief and possibly confusion and fear for what would happen next, we read that the Lord God was sitting upon His throne, exalted. How does the Christian faith deal with an assassination attempt, a tech meltdown, a coup, war, a terrorist attack, or any other tragedy and upheaval that might come? We look to the heavens and recognize that our God is still in control and that He never lost it.

I am praying for America–for our current President, Vice President, and every other elected official. I am also praying for the many candidates who are running for office, including former President Donald Trump. I’m not simply praying for healing and protection for Donald Trump, but I recognize that all men will die one day in some manner. I am praying that America will look beyond the red, white, and blue into the heavens above and see that there is a Throne and He who is sitting on it is still in control. No matter what happens here in America or elsewhere on this planet–He knows, and He rules over it all. I pray that our president–whoever he is, bows his head in humble submission, recognizing that his every breath is given to him as a gift from God, and He alone sustains and removes it.

So, dear Christian friend, don’t fret. God is firmly seated upon His throne. No matter what comes, place your trust–not in men, nations, money, political parties, or any other idol–no, put your trust in Jesus Christ because He alone holds all power and authority.

7 Reasons Why You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology (weekend repost)

/ Richard Bargas / Leave a comment

Various views of end times events have caused division, confusion, and frustration for many Christians. It isn’t hard for a person that wants to downplay the importance of eschatology to point out extreme examples of each view in order to demonstrate that the effort is fruitless. Some have jokingly called themselves “pan-millennialists” saying that it will all pan-out in the end.

However, complexity, alternate views, and even wacky ideas among some teachers should not be enough for us to put off the study of end times. Read the rest of this post: 7 Reasons Why You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology

7 Reasons Why You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology

/ Richard Bargas / 1 Comment

Various views of end times events have caused division, confusion, and frustration for many Christians. It isn’t hard for a person that wants to downplay the importance of eschatology to point out extreme examples of each view in order to demonstrate that the effort is fruitless. Some have jokingly called themselves “pan-millennialists” saying that it will all pan-out in the end.

However, complexity, alternate views, and even wacky ideas among some teachers should not be enough for us to put off the study of end times. We wouldn’t follow that reasoning regarding difficulties in our understanding of the Trinity, or the doctrine of hell, or any other biblical doctrine, would we? Any pan-Trinitarians out there?

In my opening message at the IFCA Annual Convention a few weeks ago, I set out seven reason for why we need to study and teach biblical eschatology. My message will be posted soon, but until then, I thought it might be helpful to enumerate those reasons:

1. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because It Puts God’s Glory on Display (Rev. 1:1-2)

2. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because It Shows Us God’s Future Plans (Rev. 1:1-2)

3. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because It Comes With Blessings (Rev 1:3)

4. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because the Time Is Near (Rev 1:3)

5. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because It Encourages the Saints (1Th 4:18; 5:11)

6. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because the Judgment of God is Coming (2Pt 3:1-10)

7. You Should Study and Teach Biblical Eschatology Because It Promotes Holiness and Godliness in the Church (2Pt 3:11-12)

These aren’t the only reasons why we need to study and teach biblical eschatology, but these among others are rooted in the authority of Scripture itself. I pray these reasons will motivate, enourage, and inspire you to go to the Scripture and study and teach the hope of Jesus coming again.

Are You Able to See the Signs?

/ Richard Bargas / Leave a comment

One afternoon while we were camping in the sequoias fo California, we started to notice that the clouds were beginning to look a little heavy and ominous. As evening began to fall, we started feeling a drop of rain here and there. As experienced campers, my wife and I knew that we needed to take a few precautions before we went to bed for the night. We folded up our camp chairs and put them into our car, and then we took down all of our towels and clothes off of our clothesline and put them into the tent. We made sure that anything that could be damaged by the rain was in a safe and dry place. There’s something romantic about being in a tent while its raining, but there is nothing fun about having to run out in the middle of the night in a rain storm to cover and move things out of the rain.

In Matthew 16:1-12, Jesus spoke about observing the signs of the weather, and the activities that are affected when we are good judges of what will occur. Even today, we still read signs. We read the stock market to see whether or not stock prices will go up or down. We forecast the trends of politics and the real estate market. Some people are involved in watching the trends of fashion and technology.

But, what about the big picture? What about the signs of the times that point to the end of the world? The only person the world sees warning about the end of the world is the homeless guy in the movies who holds up a sign warning of the end of the world. The unbelieving world demonstrates its willful unbelief when it can read the signs of the culture while rejecting the signs of the end of the ages.

Of course, Jesus’ comments were to unbelieving Jews who were absolutely rejecting the Messiah and the clear signs that he had been sent from the Father. But as I meditated on how I could apply this text to myself, I realized that we, even as Christians, sometimes can demonstrate willful unbelief much like the Jews did. How do Christians demonstrate our willful unbelief by rejecting those same signs? I think there are at least three ways:

1. By Failing to Live Holy Lives-2Pet 3:10-13

Like practical atheists we can say we believe that Christ is returning, but act like his coming is a long way off–probably beyond our lifetimes. Peter recognized that since the day of the Lord is assured, his coming should affect our striving after holiness and godliness.

2. By Failing to Live For Heaven instead of Earth-1Cor 3:10-15

Paul instructed the Corinthian church to stop living for worldly pleasures and to think ahead to that day when they would stand before the Lord and give an account for the sort of life they lived. Would their efforts burn down and blow over like the straw house of the three little pigs or would it stand the refining fire and come forth as refined jewels? Everything that we do in this time frame we have been given will count for eternity–and for some Christians, they won’t have much to count.

3. By Failing to Evangelize the Lost (Acts 20:24-27)

Paul was pretty sure that he was heading for rough times when he headed for Jerusalem. He stopped in to say goodbye to the Ephesian church elders on his way back, and he felt that this might be the last time he would see them. He wasn’t thinking about Jesus’ return as much as the fact that he might go to see Jesus first. So, when he assessed the effectiveness of his time with these brothers in Christ, he was confident that he had done everything that a faithful servant of Christ can do, including preaching the truth of the gospel without any reservations. Paul’s conscience was clear, and his hands were clean.

Jesus’ return may come before we die, or after we die, but what’s the difference? We’ll still be called to give an account as stewards of the gospel treasure. How will you fair?

The signs that Jesus spoke of regarding the end times are true. As Jonah illustrated, Jesus died and rose again. But that isn’t where the gospel ends. He is coming back. Do you believe that? Can you read the signs around us that show us that it will be soon?

Do you have enough sense to get out of a storm?

We need to respond to Christ, not out of fear, but out of faith. Jesus IS coming soon. We need to be prepared.