Resurrection and Life

Finding Jesus in the Pain

I had not known David and Lucy for long. I met them through email when we corresponded during COVID. They were always quick to talk about their family. They had usually just been to visit or were about to visit. I could picture David smiling as he wrote back to me, rehearsing the memories they had made.   

Although David and Lucy attended church every week online, I could not see them. So, it was only a few weeks before Lucy’s death that I was able to meet them in person. Even under the circumstances, my heart was full of joy. I did not know what to expect when I walked inside their apartment and turned the corner into Lucy’s bedroom — but what I encountered was a glow and a light that only God could have orchestrated. Lucy’s face shown with a heavenly countenance. The only word that came to mind as I looked past her frail body to her face was … “beautiful.” She was radiant with the love and peace of God.   

In that moment, even in her sickness and pain, she ministered to me. As I put my arm around her shoulder and let her lean on me, I watched as she quietly communicated to her husband of 41 years what she needed. A slight lift of her eyebrows or a hand on her tummy. And he would gaze at her lovingly and respond.   

At one point Lucy wanted to walk. She attempted to stand on her own, and David stood in front of her, guiding her hands to his shoulders. As he began to walk backwards, looking into her eyes, she followed. Tears welled up in my eyes. They were dancing. It was precious.   

It was a picture to me of what heaven will be like — only then, Lucy will be able to lead David around the dance floor without reservation!   

That day I was encouraged by the story of Lazarus in John 11.   

When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.   

Martha said, “Master if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God, he will give you.”   

Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”   

Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”   

“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life,” Jesus said. ”The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not die at all. Do you believe this?”   

“Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”   

Like Martha in this story, our grief is full of mixed emotions. It makes us sad or mad or confused. We ask God, “Why?” Why now, why in this way? Death seems so unfair.   

That’s okay. Jesus gives Martha space with her emotions. He doesn’t talk her out of them or persuade her to change them. He lets them be.   

While pain will cease in heaven, Jesus offers more here than hope of what is to come. He offers himself. He offers his presence amid pain and sorrow. He says, “I am, RIGHT NOW, the resurrection and the life.”   

In this story, Jesus is offering himself to us. He is asking us — how do you need me right now? How can I be life for you right now? He wants you to know that He is here for you.   

Lucy felt Him. I know she did. I experienced it in her eyes.  

So, as Lucy and Martha experienced Christ’s presence in these days, my prayer is that you will feel His presence this Easter season as well. 

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Beth Bramstedt is the Church Life Pastor at Christian Fellowship.