Read: John 11:17-57
Jesus
finally arrives in Bethany after Lazarus had been dead for four days (v.
17). He then makes a remarkable
statement about Himself, “I am the
resurrection and the life”. This
statement is a definite claim to Deity; He is saying that He is God and that He
is the source of life. The death of
Lazarus and the pain of Mary and Martha moved Jesus greatly in His Spirit (v.
33). Jesus wept (v. 35). Why?
Because He loves (v. 36). In verse
41, we find Jesus lifting up a prayer to the Father, so that all may know that
the power by which He performs this miracle is from God. Then in a loud voice He cried, “Lazarus, come out.” Lazarus indeed came out and many believed in
Christ (v. 45). But some of them did not
believe, instead they conspired to destroy Jesus. The Pharisee’s gathered (v. 47). They knew that that due to this miracle Jesus
would be universally acknowledged as the Messiah and that the people would
proclaim Him to be their King, which would cause them to lose power therefore
they plotted to kill Jesus
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Jesus wept (v. 35). Jesus, the God-man did not feel it beneath
Himself to sympathize with the distressed and weep with those who wept. Jesus is sympathetic to our needs! Ask the Lord to show you a time where Christ
wept with you, over something that caused you to weep, thank Him for this.
2. The raising of Lazarus was the final sign that
proved who Jesus was but this miracle was also a motivation for those who
didn`t believe in Him to put Him to death.
Lazarus would have had no idea that the timing of His illness, death and
resurrection would play such a pivotal role in God’s plan to save the
world. Sometimes it may feel like our
lives are insignificant – but any life fully surrendered to God’s will is
useful to God. Ask the Lord to reveal to
you any areas where you feel insignificant.
Then, ask Him to show you any lies that you have believed about yourself
or about Him. Confess that you have
believed those lies. Finally, ask God to
show you the truth about your significance to Him.
