The story of Lazarus shows Jesus’s great power and love for us all. Even though the people were grieving and upset that Jesus had not come and healed him before his death, they were comforted by what he said and did. It is written that “Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:20-27) And speaking of Mary, the sister of Martha, “when Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.” (John 11:33-35) So we learn that Jesus is the giver of eternal life. Those who believe in Him will one day be resurrected unto life, come death and judgment. He doesn’t like it when we have to die but knows it is part of the plan of salvation. He wept for Lazarus and most likely weeps when His followers die also. He is so powerful and loving, all the same.
And now we will be able to see His power first hand in these next few verses. It is written, “Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” (John 11:38-45) Wow! The power of Jesus, our Lord, has no end. What He did may be hard to believe, but that is thinking in our physical nature, not spiritual. This event must have surely ignited a revival upon the earth, for people could not deny what they just saw. For Lazarus was dead and is now alive. The same can be said for each one of us. Before Jesus rescued us, we were dead in the flesh, but because He is with us now, we are made alive through Him. Amen. Praise Him.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all make a choice to follow You. That it will not be for a time in our life, but every day that we live. And if people have strayed from the path, I pray for their safe return. That people will acknowledge their sins and come running back to You for forgiveness. You so desire to raise us up unto eternal life come death and judgment, but can only this if we allow You into our lives. There must no longer be people straddling the fence and be outside looking in, but be all-in for Your kingdom. We either have Your light shining brightly or are doing what our flesh desires instead. And Lord, I know what this world offers and it is not worth it. I would rather be in Your right standing than to fulfill any ounce of pleasure from the world. Falling into temptations that the flesh enjoys at the moment is not worth the guilt and shame that comes afterward. And what is worse are people who let You go for a time and did not come back to You before their time of death. This brings me to tears. They had You in their lives for a time and something or another took Your love away from them. But will it be worth it after the judgment sentence is set upon them? Absolutely not. Forever will they be wishing for a redo on life. If they could just go back and make that change when they had time. All these thoughts will continue to be with them as they are in the lake of fire, forever bringing them to tears and regret. I am in tears just thinking of their loss. I just pray that my family members and dear friends will make a choice today to follow You, Jesus. And not just today, but until the end of time. As for me, I will follow You now and forever. I love You, Jesus. You are the greatest joy in my life. Amen.
