God Is Good, All the Time

““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 11:4

Easter week is meant to be a massive perspective-shifting moment. We may celebrate new beginnings with the turn of the calendar at New Years, but Easter is the ultimate new beginning with the turn of a new creation. It is a special season to reframe our focus to what should be our perspective throughout the year.

God is good. And he is working his goodness for eternal life even in the impossibly tragic and difficult parts of our life.

In John 11, Jesus’s dear friends Mary and Martha lament the sickness and inevitable death of their brother Lazarus. They send news to Jesus hoping he can come quickly to save his life. But Jesus says he will wait a little longer. Time is of the essence for Lazarus, and Jesus takes his time.

Is he still good? Of course!

What he wants us to realize in this scene is that his goodness is much greater than what we think goodness is. He wants much better for us than extended life in this world. He has bigger plans for us than comfort and ease in this life. He is working resurrection power unto eternal life!

And that also means putting to death the old life. The old system, the old world, the old patterns, the old passions and dreams must die. But that death isn’t simply the end of your life, but the beginning of a new life under the glory of God.

Jesus says that Lazarus’s illness does not lead to death. It does in one way, but death is the gateway to a greater life. And Jesus alone guides us through that gate.

So, we can call the day of Jesus’s crucifixion “Good Friday” because he is opening the gateway of death to eternal life for us. It is utterly tragic and painful, but God’s goodness is working his glory and our good through it.

And when that becomes your perspective every day, there is nothing that can keep you down. There is no obstacle, no tragedy, no pain or sorrow that leads to ultimate death. All of it is for God’s glory and our good through his death and resurrection.

May this special week have its intended of solidifying your New Creation perspective in life.

Eager for the resurrection,

Adam and the elders