PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 32 – October 29th to 4th Nov 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch11: verses 7 to 16.

“So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, but for your sake I am glad that I was not with him, so that you will believe. Let us go to him.” John Chapter 11: verses 14 to 15. (Good News Bible)

Making a Comeback!

I am a big fan of rugby league. In recent years we have seen some of the truly great comebacks in state of origin when both NSW and QLD have called on retired greats to help them when injuries or poor form have affected the team. Allan Langer from Queensland, Freddie Fittler and Andrew Johns from NSW come to mind. Each of them had a fairy tale result and lifted their teams to some great victories.

The story of Lazarus in John Chapter 11 is quite well known and you hear from time to time people compared to Lazarus who make comebacks. His comeback as we shall see will amaze the onlookers.

Perhaps a comeback is something you are considering.  These comebacks can happen in many areas of life. Age catches up with sports women and men and comebacks rarely last a long time. Sometimes it is hard to let go and retire, if your entire life has been built around sport.  

The gospel of John contains many dialogues of Jesus with people and incidents that are of considerable length and are difficult to deal with in one study. The incident concerning Lazarus is one of these. This unit runs from John Chapter 11 verses 1 to 45. I hope you can read it in one go sometime.

The section of our reading this week follows on from last week and describes Jesus’ eventual intensions to visit Lazarus who we discovered last study was sick. Jesus delayed his travel to Lazarus by a couple of days and by this time Lazarus had died. Verse 14 of our reading tells us that Jesus was aware that Lazarus had died and that his visit to Lazarus would strengthen the faith of the disciples in him and bring glory to Jesus.

We are not at the stage of Lazarus’ comeback just yet, but what always precedes a comeback is retirement, or death in the case of Lazarus. Jesus expresses his authority over death by telling the disciples that even though dead; Lazarus will rise. Jesus tells his disciples that he will wake Lazarus up. The disciple’s of Jesus think he means Lazarus is asleep, but Jesus assures them he has died and he will raise Lazarus from the dead.

Faith in Jesus develops when we take seriously the claims of Jesus, the credibility of his life and his promises. As C. S. Lewis once said; Jesus is really who he claims to be or else he is like a madman going around deceiving others and himself.
I have found Jesus to be true because for me he gives great answers to the big questions of life like:

• What is the meaning to life?
• What kind of values can I believe in?
• What is God like if there is a creator rather than life being a random chance?

Also his life:

• Shows a love and sacrifice I can believe in.
• Jesus brings real and lasting hope to life.
• Jesus shows an integrity and truthfulness that is self-evident.

No one else I have found anywhere near matches the life of Jesus.

Prayer
Our great God and Father, thank you that in life you make comebacks possible.  Thank you that Jesus came back from the dead to give life and make our come back to you possible. Amen.

Upcoming Events

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Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
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