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Grace & Salvation

Only Jesus

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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**Verse 1** The report was not very good— And when the news arrived— Many wondered if Jesus—had done all He could. Just a couple of miles away— The trip made in far less than a day— With a very good friend Approaching their end— **Chorus** All everyone wanted to know— Was why did Jesus—why did Jesus not go? He could have saved a dying soul— He could have spoken and made him whole— He could left the growing crowd— He could erased growing doubt. But Jesus is the only one— Only Jesus can say—death isn’t when it’s done. **Verse 2** The next time—the messenger came to say Your friend is dead—the family doesn’t understand Your delay. Then when Jesus finally turned to go Some thought He didn’t know— That Lazarus had now been dead 4 days— Dead and gone—buried in a tomb—where only the dead—and no one living lays. **Verse 3** So when Jesus got to the tomb— He questioned why so many had assumed— Why so many assumed that everything that needed to be said—had been said. For only those who believe— The glory of God they will receive— And all who receive—believing I am— I am who I claim to be, Don’t worry at all—cause when your name gets called—I’ll call you—personally! And that’s when Jesus let out a shout— “Lazarus—You come out!” **Chorus** All everyone wanted to know— Was why did Jesus—why did Jesus not go? He could have saved a dying soul— He could have spoken and made him whole— He could left the growing crowd— He could erased growing doubt. But Jesus is the only one— Only Jesus can say—death isn’t when it’s done. **Bridge** Lazarus came out! Lazarus heard the Master shout! Lazarus came out! Ohhh—he was walking all about! Ohhh—can I ask you today— If you’re like me—and often look at bad reports—the same way? Surely even old Lazarus was like you and me—would be— When I’ve made it to heaven— And all is on track— Don’t come and tell me—I have to go back— **Tag** But for the glory of God I will see— If He calls I’ll go—as long as Heaven is where I’ll be—for eternity! For Jesus is the only one— Only Jesus can say—death isn’t when it’s done.
Ministry Devotional

Only Jesus

Read together: John 11:1–16, 38–44; Psalm 112:6–8; Isaiah 55:8–9

The report was not good. A message arrived saying that Jesus' dear friend Lazarus was sick. Bethany was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem—Jesus could have been there in less than a day. And everyone wanted to know the same thing: Why did Jesus not go?

This song lingers on that question, and it is a question many of us have asked about our own bad reports. The biopsy came back. The layoff came through. The call came in the middle of the night. We prayed, and it seemed like Jesus stayed where He was.

Read John 11:1–16. John is careful to tell us two things side by side: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus," and "So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days." Love and delay, in the same breath. Jesus also told His disciples, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God." His delay was not neglect. It was purpose.

Read Isaiah 55:8–9. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways." When God's timing confuses us, it is not because He is careless. It is because He sees what we cannot.

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Everyone assumed the story was over. The song says Jesus questioned why so many had assumed that everything that needed to be said had been said. Read John 11:38–44. At the tomb, Martha warned that there would be a smell. Jesus answered, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Then He called with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"—and the dead man walked out.

That is the line this song keeps returning to: Only Jesus can say death isn't when it's done. For everyone else, death is the final word. For Jesus, it is never final.

The bridge turns to us. Can I ask you today if you're like me, and often look at bad reports the same way? We tend to read bad news as the end of the story. Read Psalm 112:6–8. The righteous "will not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." That does not mean bad news won't hurt. It means it doesn't get the last word over a heart anchored in God.

Then the song adds a touch of honest humor. When I've made it to heaven and all is on track, don't come and tell me I have to go back. Lazarus was raised, but he would die again someday. His resurrection was a sign, not the final destination. The tag captures the believer's settled hope: If He calls I'll go, as long as heaven is where I'll be.

We cannot promise that Jesus will reverse every bad report in this life. Sometimes He heals and restores. Sometimes He carries us through loss. But we can promise that for those who trust Him, death is not when it's done. The One who called Lazarus by name will one day call every believer out of the grave.

If you are holding a bad report today, bring it to Jesus. And if you have never trusted Him, He is the only One who can say your story doesn't end at the grave.

A moment to respond: Read John 11:40 and write it on a card: "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Keep it near whatever bad report you are facing. Pray Psalm 112:7 over your situation each morning this week.

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, You love us even when You delay, and Your ways are higher than ours. When bad reports come, steady our hearts in You. Thank You that You called Lazarus out of the tomb, and that for those who trust You, death is never the end. Help us believe, so that we will see Your glory. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that no bad report would have the last word in your heart—because only Jesus can say death isn't when it's done.

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