Today I read John 11-12.
In today's reading, Jesus' friend, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, got sick. When Jesus got word of this, He tarried two days before beginning His journey. When He arrived, Martha met Him and told Him that Lazarus was dead. Soon after, Mary came to Him and told Him the same, declaring that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. And then we get the shortest Bible verse: Jesus wept (John 11:35).
But that's not all. Jesus went to the tomb, and had them open it. Then He told them to remove the stone. They argued because of the stench, but complied.
John 11:41-42 - So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
Jesus takes a moment to thank God, so that all glory will be given to the Father.
John 11:43-44 - When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." The man who had died came forth bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
When Jesus spoke, Lazarus came forth. When Jesus speaks, even death must obey Him.
When we were dead in sin, Jesus called to us, and when we heard His voice, we too came forth from the grave. We were also bound, like Lazarus, with our burial wrappings, but Jesus removed them.
Sometimes I'm guilty of giving in to temptation and slipping back into sin - effectively trying to bury myself. But Jesus is forgiving, and keeps pulling the burial wrappings off of me. And you too.
When He called us forth, we came.
Jesus spoke our names, and we have never been the same.
"Come forth, {insert your name here}."
When I was reading this morning, I was reminded of a song I heard once, and I want to share it this morning.
The chorus begins: "When He said live, I had to breathe."
I hope you enjoy. Truly listen to the words.
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 13-15.
No comments:
Post a Comment