Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?” John 11:40 WEB
Lazarus, the brother of Mary, the woman who poured perfume on the Lord’s feet and cleansed them with her hair, fell sick. Mary and her sister Martha sent word to Jesus of Lazarus’ illness. Understanding the importance of his glorification, Jesus delayed returning to Judea until after Lazarus died. Jesus waited, knowing that resurrecting Lazarus would instill greater faith in God’s glory than simply healing him.
The Jews attempted to stone Jesus during his previous stay in Judea and so his disciples did not want to return to that area. But, after Lazarus died, Jesus shared that he would return in spite of the danger. His disciples agreed to go along. Thomas says in John 11:16, “that we might die with him” thinking that their return would bring death to the group.
When Jesus arrived near the village of Bethany with his disciples, Lazarus lay in his tomb. Four days passed from his death to the arrival of Jesus. Upon seeing him, Mary’s sister Martha came to Jesus with these famous words from John 11:21, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. WEB”
Martha’s words are both mournful and filled with faith. She knows that Jesus is Lord and that whatever he asks of God, he receives. Jesus assures her that her brother will rise again. Martha misunderstands this and says that she knows he will rise on the last day.
I Am the Resurrection
In response to Martha, John 11:25-26 records these words, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha confirmed her belief and went away to call her sister Mary to the tomb.
When Mary arrived, Christ witnessed her weeping. His response to her suffering is the shortest verse in the bible, “Jesus wept.” Mary, like her sister Martha, mournfully stated that Lazarus would not have died had Jesus been there. She did not yet know that Lazarus’ death would reveal God’s glory and power to resurrect the dead.
For those in attendance, God’s glory came into clear focus as the Lord revealed his great compassion and authority over death. Christ called Lazarus from the tomb and though dead for four days, Lazarus came out alive!
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your holy word. Thank you for my salvation. Because of the sacrifice Jesus made, I will live in eternity with you. Help me to spread the gospel message of salvation from sin and eternal life. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Cast Your Cares on the Lord
