John 11:1-37

40 Days of John

Day 19: John 11:1-37

Today's passage is about the time Jesus brings Lazarus back to life after he has been dead for several days.  It's one of Jesus' well-known miracles.

The not-so-obvious details and the relationships in this story stand out to me as being as significant to knowing and understanding Jesus as the miracle itself.

Lazarus is Jesus' friend, brother to Mary and Martha (also Jesus' friends).  And as I read this story, I can sense the love and emotion Jesus has for His friends.

Jesus, the Son of God with all of His divine power and knowledge, grieves with His friends in this situation even though He already knows there's a better, more hopeful ending to this story.

When Jesus first hears the news about Lazarus' terminal illness, He says,

"This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

John 11:4

Jesus knows God and His goodness that is coming from the situation; yet, John tells us that "Jesus wept" and was "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33, 35).

The people watching see Jesus and His emotion for Lazarus.

Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him."

John 11:36

This story is our story, no matter what happens to us in this life.  Jesus loves us just like He loves Lazarus.  Jesus is our friend.  Because He died for us and lives, we can know and be close to Jesus just like Lazarus.  And when we are hurting and grieving, He is there with us weeping.  Jesus doesn't promise us a life without heartache, but He does promises us,

"I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."

And Jesus asks us, 

"Do you believe this?"

John 11:25-26

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for the friend I have in Jesus.  

Help me to to know, remember, and to trust that You are the resurrection and the life.    

I pray for all those who are hurting, sick, or grieving.  Be with them, Lord, and fill them with Your love and comfort. Remind them of Your promises.  

I love You, Lord, and I praise You with all of my heart, with all of my soul, and with all of my strength.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Grace and peace,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.