If you’re like me, you’ve had your share of taking meds. Stomach issues, headaches, body aches…we’ve all had to find the remedy for what ails us. As we work through COVID, we know eventually our scientists and engineers will discover how to defeat this crazy virus. Until then, we have been task with social distancing, washing regularly, wearing face masks, taking appropriate meds, hydrating and getting rest. But we’ve also heard the statement, “Things will never be made right again.”
Even pre-COVID, you might have heard that about a spouse who stepped out on a marriage vow or a adult child who is talking about an absentee parent or a friend who needed someone to stand up for them but found they were alone. We’ve all been in difficult places and made some poor decisions where we realized after it all, things may not be the same.
When we talk about decisions we make that go against how God has called us to live, that’s called sin. And there are moments when we make poor choices we say “I’m not sure I can come back. Things are not going to be the same. I’m too far gone for God to love me.”
But God created a way for us to come back to him through his Son, Jesus Christ. And it’s not just a select few who need Jesus as the remedy for sin. We all need Jesus. Paul reminds us of that in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard.” The beauty is, God’s created a way for us to come home. Paul goes on to say in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death but life can be had through Jesus, God’s Son.”
The story of Lazarus in John 11 reveals some things for us who are following the risen Savior. The abridged version of the story is that Jesus had a friend named Lazarus who died after he became very ill. Lazarus’ sisters sent for Jesus but he waited to go. After Lazarus died, Jesus went to the town and stood at the tomb where Lazarus had been buried four days earlier. Jesus was angry and he cried. I suppose he was angry for what sin does to us and our world. I’m imagining he cried do to the lack of faith those with him had in him. It’s an intriguing story so go read it right now.
But we learn a few things about sin in our lives and how Jesus is the remedy for that sin. No question: sin steals your life. When we get the flu, we are fatigued, sore, have respiratory issues…we just want to sit on the couch and binge Netflix. Sin takes away our desire for life. When we don’t let Jesus rule our life, we buy into the lies of Satan. Lies like “I’m an angry person and that’s just who I am” or “My family is dysfunctional so that’s all I know” or “My dad was an alcoholic so I didn’t have a chance” or “Porn doesn’t hurt my marriage”. These are the kinds of lies that we buy into which absolutely decimate our lives.
The biggest lie we listen to is the one that states, “I’m too far gone.” I’m just a bad person. God doesn’t want anything to do with me. I am beyond help and not redeemable. We tend to think our mess is bigger than God’s miracle. But we must believe God in Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them as white as snow…” Jesus is our remedy.
Ultimately, sin submits to Jesus. In John 11 after the stone at Lazarus’ tomb has been rolled away. Jesus looks intently into the darkness of the tomb and says, “Lazarus, come out”. The crowd that is holding their collective breath can suddenly hear feet shuffle in the darkness. Suddenly, emerging into the light of day is the once-dead Lazarus. Even death must obey the Son of God! He’s just that powerful!
Without Jesus, the remedy, in our lives, we don’t stand a chance against Satan and sin. With Jesus, we can conquer all things. Indeed, we can overcome anything. So say “yes” to Jesus and gain the ability to come out of the darkness, releasing the burden and weight of sin. Jesus has come to give you life and life to the full. Allow Jesus to give you that life by you saying “yes” to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Blessings on the journey.