March 26, 2023 "Jesus Shows Sorrow Can Guide Change"

ReNew Ames Messages

Raising of Lazarus - yeah, we're doing it again. So we've got a new spin. This is a hard story to wrap our heads around. It's a strange story that raises all sorts of questions that are difficult, if not impossible, to answer. So even though this is a confusing story - hard to understand - there is something we all can understand. Two words. Yup, a sermon on two words in a story about Jesus. Those two words? Jesus Wept. That's it. What do the tears of Jesus teach us? 1) The tears of Jesus legitimize all human grief. This negates all prosperity gospel B.S. We grieve - all of us. It's like our constant companion. And we have a God who cries with us. 2) The tears of Jesus honor the complexity of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow. The raising of Lazarus won't change his past. He'll still have the lingering memory of his illness and saying his final goodbye to those he loves the most. But now, everything has changed - his life is now completely different. And change is hard. 3) The tears of Jesus show us the necessity of silence. Jesus doesn't try to fix things with words. People say the stupidest things to people who are hurting! Sometimes our presence and our tears are the only appropriate language - sometimes silence is a necessity. 4) The tears of Jesus show us that sorrow can be a strong driving force for change. What breaks your heart? What splits you open? Will you let that move you to compassion for others and allow yourself to be moved into resurrecting action? Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: John 11:1-44 http://bible.com/events/49053766