Today’s Reading: John 11:11-15
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’”
* * * * *
Earlier, Jesus said that Lazarus had fallen asleep. The disciples took Jesus literally. They thought Lazarus had entered into bodily sleep. They failed to understand that “sleep” was a metaphor for death. Lazarus was dead.
Nor did the disciples understand what Jesus was about to do.
The Lord told them he was glad that he was not there when Lazarus died. Why did he say this? He wanted them to believe more deeply after they saw what Jesus was about to do. When the disciples saw how the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead, their faith would increase. They would see that his delays don’t mean his denials. Whenever they remembered this event in the future, their faith would grow.
Then Jesus said it was time to go to Bethany, where they would witness the power and authority of his Father in heaven over everything in the world—even death.
Believe in the Lord’s power to do miracles. They are all around you. Look at the birth of a child. Or ponder the beauty of a sunrise over the horizon. Or consider the deep love you feel toward that special person in your life.
Theologians call these “common graces.” They are available to all— believers and skeptics alike. They are miracles surrounding you every minute of every day. They are signs on your life’s highway pointing you to God.
Jesus loves to do larger miracles as well. He revels in providing a way when there seems to be no way. He loves to open doors that seem closed. It gives him pleasure to move when all hope is gone. He still heals when doctors give up on you (like Lazarus!). He is able to give life to barren wombs. He enjoys paving ways where there seems to be no way.
Today, observe his miracles around you—both great and small. Remember his faithfulness to you. When you face obstacles, do so with the memory of his past faithfulness. You will be able to say, “If my Lord Jesus came through once for me, he can do it again.” Trust that his delays don’t mean his denials.
Especially remember this great miracle: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. As he did for Lazarus, he will do for all his followers. Your greatest miracle is yet to come. As Lazarus was raised from the dead, so will you be! When you die, he will take your lifeless body and give it a resurrection reality.
You have the absolute assurance that you will never die.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, death has been defeated.
What a mighty promise and miracle!
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]