That’s just a fancy way of saying, “Life sucks!” And it does, quite often. My strong and capable brother declined over nine years of suffering, and I joined him many times in discussing the aforementioned declaration. He had good days, but the overall direction of his health was negative.
Country Lane © Jeffrey D. Nichols
He died peacefully. Took his evening meds, turned in for the night, and woke up with Jesus. I know he’s in a better place.
Night Beach © Jeffrey D. Nichols
I’m not the first to lose a brother. It happened to Mary and Martha, close friends of Jesus. Their brother, Lazarus, was ill, and his prognosis was not good. The ladies sent word to Jesus asking Him to come and do something. Jesus had demonstrated healing power on countless occasions. Surely the Savior would alter His ministry plans and come quickly.
But Jesus delayed. Two full days. Until He knew Lazarus was dead. Seems out of character for One who loved Lazarus…and Mary…and Martha.
Pink Rose © Jeffrey D. Nichols
Martha received word that Jesus was nearing Bethany and walked to meet him. Her first words expressed sadness, and perhaps some blame, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Martha left Jesus to find Mary who also ran to meet the Savior. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Had the sisters shared this thought in their grief-laden conversations over the last few hours?
Jesus absorbed the words, saw the tears, and listened to the weeping of the crowd around Him. Lazarus held a special place in many hearts. The Bible tells us in John 11:33, “He (Jesus) was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled.” That declaration is followed by the shortest verse in Scripture, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.”
Mountain Cascade © Jeffrey D. Nichols
The prophet Isaiah described Jesus (Isaiah 53:3) as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Jesus knew what was to come next in the story, so His tears were not flowing from a sense of loss. Jesus saw the ravages of sin as well as death’s heartache displayed on the faces around Him. That moved the Savior’s heart.
Never conclude He does not care. Hebrews 4:15 (NLT) reveals, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses…” He became a man, walked where we walk and faced what we face. He knows. He understands. He’s been there.
Dew Drops © Jeffrey D. Nichols
Jesus stood by the tomb and prayed. In His words we find the reason Lazarus had to die. John 11:42, “…so that they may believe that You sent Me.” The narrative continues in John 11:43, “When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’”
Wait for it. This really happened. John 11:44, “The man who had died came forth…”
Sweet! Never has grief fled from a graveyard so fast.
Now that brings us back to the title, adverse circumstances. Could it be God has a purpose in those situations, something deep with more eternal clout than we can imagine?
Isaiah shared in Isaiah 14:24, “The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, ‘Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.’” The prophet adds in Isaiah 14:27, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?”
New River Rafters © Jeffrey D. Nichols
I’m not smarter than God. Perhaps instead of declaring, “Life sucks!” I need to consider God has a plan in allowing adverse circumstances, and in His mercy and grace He invites me to take part.
(Credit for the photography goes to Jeffrey D. Nichols, 1960-2009.)
I love seeing Uncle Jeff’s gorgeous photos! It always stood out to me that Jesus cried at everyone’s sadness even though he knew he was about to bring Lazarus back. Amazing empathy.
I believe that the actual weeping he cried out was genuine as he was God in the form of a man.
So even as he was perfect and holy, he also suffered actual pain in his human body. He allowed this as an offering and sacrifice to the father and for us in our sins, that we might accept him by faith so that we could be renewed, redeemed and restored…just like Christ did as he arose in the 3rd day. And also for our sins to be cleansed and forgiven by the blood that was shed on Calvary’s Hill.
Remember too that he also fell to his face on the ground in the garden of gethsemane and said, my Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Matthew 26:39
Also he cried out around 3pm that day on the cross “my god my god. Why have you forsaken me” Mark 15:34
You see, He experienced pain, loss, and rejection just like we do. Yet he did not deserve what he was given. But he accepted and trusted the father that he would turn it for good. Talk about trust. Would most people do that?
One day his true disciples will experience the exact same redemption and acension. He was without sin but suffered as he did.
Now no matter how bad the days may be, if your hope is in Jesus and his return; then there may be bad days, but they are only temporary. Temporary pain for eternal gain !
Great insights. Thank you, Steven.
Jesus is amazing!
I love Jeff’s photos. I’ve recovered quite a few of them. He had a great eye for catching the right picture.