Being Part of the Healing Process
John 11:1-45
Jesus wept with those he loved, and He still does. He raised people up and He still does. Finally, he included other people in the healing proceeds and He still does.
Don't miss this now. Notice what happens when Lazarus comes out of the tomb. Jesus turned to his family and friends and says, "Unbind him and let him go. Unwrap him and set him free."
It's amazing to me that some people think the small group movement is a new thing. Small groups, support groups, are as old as the Bible, and they are so essential. Jesus knew how important it is to have our family and our friends helping us, surrounding us with love, supporting us, encouraging us, setting us free in every moment, but especially in those moments when we are trying to make a new start with our lives.
A minister said that recently a man stopped by to see him. A little over a year ago, he went through a great personal tragedy, but he is coming through it with the help of God and with the help of the church, especially his Sunday School class. He said, "I was devastated. I was disillusioned and defeated and saw no hope for the future and no relief for my pain." He was so hurt that he was immobilized. All the life had drained out of him., but God brought him back to life, and his church has been there for him every step of the way. His Sunday School class had been so incredible. He said that he didn't know what he would have done without them. He said he couldn't have made it without them.
You know what he was saying, don't you? He was saying, "God brought me out of the tomb, and my friends helped me, and supported me, and together, by the grace of God, they loved me back to life.
Jesus wept with those he loved, and he still does. He raised people up, and He still does. He included others in the healing process...and He still does. This is the good news of Easter: Christ is risen, and He can resurrect us!
Questions to Ponder
Do you believe there is a need for healing in our land?
Are you willing to be part of that process?
How do you feel about small groups?
Are you part of a small group?
In His Service,
Terry Phillips
