Monday, November 18, 2024
Love
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
Please read and/or listen to John 11:1-46 today. This is the seventh sign that John records for us—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. All the previous signs were amazing, and this one is as well. A reminder that John is recording these signs so that we might “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31). Have you noticed the love that is indicated in the reason for John recording these signs? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. There are two things to note in this phrase. First, Jesus is God’s Son. He is the eternal Son of the eternal Father. Consider John 17:26: “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” God is love. John makes that clear in 1 John 4:8. This is most clearly seen in the love the Father has for the Son. It is a love that has no beginning as it has always been as God has always been and has always existed within the beautiful triune relationship. Father, Son, and Spirit. That leads us to the second thing we see—the Spirit. Jesus is the Christ—the anointed One. He is the One anointed by the Spirit (see Acts 10:38). John is telling us that the signs are recorded so that we might know Jesus and to know Jesus is to know the amazing Triune God! To know this God is to know love. Jesus came so that we might know the love of God—to give us a glimpse into the love within the Godhead and to see the purpose for which we were created. To know the love of God. He pours it into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit! Do you know this love? If you are his child, it is being lavished on you (1 John 3:1). Take time today to consider the love of God. Bask in it as it washes over you!
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Love (part 2)
So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:3, 5
Please read and/or listen to John 11:1-46 again today, lingering on verses above. Jesus told Phillip that anyone who had seen him had seen the Father (John 14:9). Those who saw Jesus saw the Father as well. They saw love. The love of God pours out of Jesus. In this chapter we see the love that Jesus has for this family. There is nothing special about this family that causes Jesus to love them. Rather they are special because of the love Jesus has for them. The love of Jesus demonstrated to our lives places the spotlight on him. While Mary, Martha and Lazarus have significant parts in the account, it is Jesus who is the central figure. Indeed, it must be so. Jesus loves this family. The sisters know this love. They have experienced it in a real way. So, when their brother is ill (apparently deathly ill), the send word to Jesus reminding him of his love for Lazarus, trusting that the Lord who loves them will do what is best. Have you noticed how differently you communicate with one who you know loves you—especially when you are in pain or confusion? They sent word to Jesus. Could I suggest this is what prayer is for us? We send word to Jesus! How often as you pray are you reminded of the love that God has for you? Are you able to rest in that love as you send up a prayer for others? Are you able to rest in his love for them as well? Think about those you know in your life that need prayer. As you pray for them today, consider using these words, “Lord, the one you love is in need of your touch in their lives.” Wait to see how the Lover of their soul answers!
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Glory
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Please read and/or listen to John 11:1-46 again today in a different translation than you have been. God has declared that he will not share his glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). As Moses asks to see God’s glory, God says that he will make his goodness pass by him (Exodus 33:18). Other pretend gods seem to have their glory defined by their so-called absolute power and reign. The One True God’s glory is revealed in his pure, radiant goodness fueled by his love. The radiance of his glory is evident in the Son, and the Son represents that glory in the expression of love, purity, and goodness in the raising of Lazarus. Yes, clearly his power is displayed. Who has the power over death and life but God? Yes, this is absolute power but notice that his glory is revealed in the way he displays his power. It is in love and goodness. As you read the account today, notice the goodness of God as it passes by in the Son’ demonstration of love. If you believe you will see God’s glory. Think about that statement of Jesus. Ponder it in your life. Many times, we can be tempted to believe only when we have seen. Repeatedly in Scripture we are told that to believe is to see. There is a radiance to the glory of God. Like the brightest sun it shines in our lives in great resplendence if we will believe. Do you believe? Look for the glory of God today!
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Believe
Then 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.” John 11:14-15
Please read and/or listen to John 11:1-46 today looking for all the times you see John mentioning belief. Jesus is passionate for people to believe. He longs for them to be set free from captivity. Remember that Jesus coming into the world was a demonstration of the love of God. Jesus came and made his dwelling among us so that we could truly know who God is. What we see in the account of Lazarus’ resurrection is that people were given an opportunity to believe. Notice verses 41-42. Jesus spoke to the Father in the presence of the people so that they could believe. Many did, many did not. What makes it so hard to believe? Have you ever wondered that? What makes it so hard to believe that God is who he says he is? Why do we are humans spend so much time and effort creating gods in our image that are maniacal and demanding? Why do we choose to suffer under the damaging reign of false gods? How is it that people can observe the glory of God displayed in the raising of Lazarus from the dead and choose not to believe? Jesus deliberately chose to wait so that people could have the opportunity to believe. Think about the people you know who do not believe. How can you help them know the glory of God? How can you show them who God is in a way that gives them an opportunity to believe. You can’t make someone believe, but you can help them see what you have seen! Pray for those you know who do not believe. Pray they may see the glory of God and believe. Pray they might have belief that allows them to see!
Friday, November 22, 2024
Wept
Jesus wept. John 11:35
Please read and/or listen to John 11:32-37 today. The verse we are looking at is the shortest in the English text of the Bible. There has been much written about this verse with many speculations of what it means that Jesus wept. Clearly, he loved Lazarus and his sisters. Scripture is clear as well that we should mourn with those who mourn. It also tells us not to mourn as those who have no hope. It does not tell us not to mourn, just to mourn differently. Jesus knew what he was about to do. He knows that sorrow lasts for a night and joy comes in the morning. Death has a sting. It is real. Perhaps you know the sting of death. Someone near to you has died. You know what it is to be at the graveside and realize that death brings pain and sorrow. You have wept. I know I have. Many times. There is a sorrow that death brings. When I stand at the graveside of a loved one as a pastor and see the sorrow and feel the pain, it causes me to weep as well, even as I weep for my sense of loss. But there is another aspect to the weeping. As I weep for the sorrow of the loss, I weep for the assurance of life beyond the grave that is secured for the believer by Jesus. I become overwhelmed with the truth of the gospel. It is at the graveside where that truth becomes most significant in many ways. It is there that we hold tightly to the truth that real life begins because of Jesus. The sorrow and joy collide in a way that must reveal itself in weeping. I believe that is what Jesus might have been experiencing at the moment he wept. Jesus is a High Priest who can sympathize with us. Know that Jesus knows all about your struggle. He knows and he weeps at the pain sin and this world bring, and that he weeps for the freedom salvation brings as well. Today, consider that Jesus is with you in each moment.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Came out
The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44
Please read and/or listen to John 11:38-46 today. Jesus calls to Lazarus and Lazarus responds. Jesus called to him and said, “Lazarus, come out!” From what we can tell Lazarus responded immediately. He came out as he was—wrapped in the death cloths. What if he had not responded? I know that is kind of a weird question. What if he had chosen to stay where he was? He would not have been resurrected. He would have stayed dead. Notice that Jesus not only called him to come out, but he also arranged that the things which bound him would be released that he might be let go. He who had been in the tomb for four days came out very much alive. Jesus has the power over death. This is the sign. He is the light of life. In him is life and that life is the light of men. The darkness of death is taken over by the light of life with the response of Lazarus to Jesus calling his name. It is in this resurrection that we see Jesus having the power and the glory to take away the sting of death. While this is clearly an account of the physical aspect of resurrection, we can take a moment to praise God for our spiritual resurrection. If you have trusted Jesus, remember and praise him for the moment when you responded to his call and you who were once dead in your transgressions and sin were brought to life and you were unbound by your sin and let go to serve the King!
Tomorrow we will consider one more sign—the resurrection of Jesus. John 19:28-20:31