Do you believe this? (Happy Birthday, Jacob)

This month, we celebrate both Easter and what would have been Jacob’s first birthday. What might be considered a bitter moment is made sweet by God’s promise to us.

One of the most famous miracles of Jesus took place as he raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. The account is laid out for us in John 11. This powerful story goes far beyond the miracle, however. It’s a tale of, among other things, Jesus’ challenge to us.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Do you believe this. This is a phrase with strength and power – to either reassure us or to reveal our own failings. To understand this phrase and its impact on my own life, I have had to re-read the story of Lazarus from the beginning.

Jesus was already aware that Lazarus was ill when Mary and Martha gave him the grave news. He comforted them with regard to the outcome of the illness simply because He knew it full well. He already had a plan laid out regarding Lazarus – a plan that His own disciples tried to talk Him out of. He planned to return to the region where Lazarus was; where the people nearly stoned Jesus.

When He arrived, Mary and Martha questioned Jesus’ decision to delay His visit.  Yet, they had faith that through Him, God could accomplish anything. Jesus challenged Martha on this, asking her if she truly believed His promise.

These words of Jesus were not merely empty sayings. Jesus felt love and compassion for His good friend Lazarus. He wept at the tomb, feeling the pain and anguish brought about by sin. The fact that Jesus, as Son of Man, feels our sorrows at a personal level brings comfort just like a good friend who embraces us during the most painful moments in life.

Our loss of Jacob brought to bear the full magnitude of this portion of scripture. All of the catchy phrases, and inspiring sayings (even if they were from the Bible) mean nothing when the real trouble comes – unless you honestly believe it. For me, there was a sense of urgency to decide whether I was “all in” for God’s promises, or not. Either I was going to actually believe what He tells me, or allow my temporary happiness from seemingly poignant words fade as the struggles became increasingly more difficult.

That phrase “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” seemed to ring in my head. Even now, time and again, I can hear the echo of these words as milestones approach. I remember the day Jacob was born as though it happened 15 minutes ago. Every moment, thought, emotion, fear, and doubt comes rushing back and each one of those begin to cause me to second guess things such as faith, reliance, decisions. And then it comes: “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” Either I believe the promise with my whole mind and soul, or I am left to the whims of a destructive imagination.

I have made my decision. And now, I cannot wait to live out the vision I often have; the one where Jesus greets me in Heaven while holding Jacob and says to me “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Happy Birthday, little man. – Love, Dad, Mom and Big Sis.