Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Details

Published: 19 April 2022

• guest writer
• HIStories
• resurrection

Written by Melanie Curtis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

In July of 2021, I came closer to God than I have ever been in my adult life, and that is when I was giving birth to my beautiful baby girl, Ginny. As time has passed since then, however, I have struggled with God, maybe more than ever before. That is, I have been unable to wrap my mind around John 3:16, “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.”

How could any parent allow their child to suffer, especially at the degree to which Jesus did? This is a hard question, but as we ask the hard questions, we need to never forget that “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8b). Keeping this in mind, let us examine Jesus’s sacrifice further.

1. Jesus died so that we might live. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 Jn. 4:9). Yes, God allowed Jesus to suffer and die for all, but it was so that He could offer us forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

2. Those who persecuted and killed Jesus, plus our sins, were what caused his suffering: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)

3. Jesus gave himself up of His own free will. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8).

4. Even though it’s hard, parents allow their children to go through hardships because they look ahead to the future, beyond the pain. Parents have faith that the aftermath of that suffering will be good. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2b).

5. Jesus is God’s Son, but we are His children and God loves us too! He cares about us and wants to save us from our sins: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

In summary, although we can’t take away what Jesus had to suffer, we can appreciate what God did for us by accepting the salvation provided through Jesus’s sacrifice and living in such a way to honor His sacrifice.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. (Eph. 4:30-5:1)

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #resurrection #guestwriter

Details

Published: 14 April 2022

Written by Karyn Dancy, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

The story of the resurrection of Lazarus is fascinating. It was the last recorded miracle of Jesus before His own crucifixion. There are several lessons that can be taken from it. Two of them really hit home for me in this season of my life.

I struggle with serious depression. It’s been its worst ever since the beginning of this year because of some failed expectations that I had for my own life. Lesson number one, though, is that God’s timing is not my timing, but it is always perfect.

As I was reading various studies on the story of Lazarus’s resurrection, I learned for the first time that the Jews of those days actually had a belief that after death, the spirit would hover over the body for three days before it would move on. Have you wondered why Jesus waited till Lazarus had been dead for four days?

Jesus told the disciples why he waited till Lazarus had died. “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4b). At first, he told the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, but the disciples didn’t understand that Jesus was using sleep as a metaphor. “Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.’” (John 11:14-15a)

Four days, though, was significant because by this time, all of the Jews, including Martha, Mary, and the disciples who were with Him, thought it was too late for revival. Yes, they believed in a revival at the end of times, but they weren’t expecting it now. This all reminds me that God knows what He’s doing in my life and when it needs to be done.

God’s timing is perfect. There was something that I wanted in my life, and I lost it. I thought about Job and how in the end, he had even more than what he had lost, but I still didn’t want to lose what I had. I didn’t want double. I just wanted to keep my life as it was. Preparing to write this blog, though, led me to a quote.

C.S. Lewis said, “[Mortals] say of some temporal suffering, ‘No future bliss can make up for it,’ not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory.” Can you imagine how encouraging that is? I’m still hurt now, but it gives me great hope to think that God can do this.

God can do this. This is where the second lesson comes for me. I have a great hope in the power of God through this resurrection story. It’s not just a hope for the resurrection itself. It’s a hope for everything God has promised me. He said He has great plans for me in Jeremiah 29:11, and I can believe Him. I love Him, and that means for me that He is working all things out for my good. He promised me that in Romans 8:28.

The God who conquered death will keep His promises to me. He can, and He will. He’s been faithful every step of the way. My humanity gets in the way to make me think it’s just too hard. It just hurts too much. That’s when God’s carrying me, like the Footprints poem, because He loves me, He’s made promises to me, and He never fails.

Resurrection wasn’t just an action that Jesus performed. In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (Emphasis added) Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. As long as God’s Holy Spirit is in me, I have life. We’ll leave these bodies for a time, but Jesus will give us His resurrection and life for new, perfect, painless bodies. Being surrounded by His goodness is more wonderful than we can even imagine.

Jesus used the death of Lazarus as an opportunity to reveal His glory. When God fulfills His promises to us, He is glorified. Are we seeing how our hard times are opportunities to reveal His glory?

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #resurrection #guestwriter