Fertile Ground for Transformation

The lingering Jesus didn’t just cut it close; He didn’t make it in time. In the extra days that Mary and Martha waited for Jesus, their brother Lazarus died. Their deepest fear and concern had become reality. We know what it’s like to sit with life’s losses too: a divorce, diagnosis, church split, job loss, death of a family member, shattered dream, memory of past abuse. With Jesus, however, even the greatest losses in life become fertile ground for change, for Jesus can use any circumstance, tragedy, or hurting heart as an instrument to transform us. Jesus told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” (v11) With Jesus, graves are not the end but places where resurrection takes place. In light of this truth, dare we welcome hardships and losses as prime opportunities/fertile ground for Jesus to work His transformation in us? (p50-67)