Awake my soul
(Read John 11:1-44)
Raising Lazarus was the last of the miracles Jesus performed before his capture and crucifixion. The themes of light and life are visibly abundant at Christmas time and are highlighted in the miracle of Lazarus.
“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
With the amount of sickness and tragedy in Jesus’ day, compassion alone would have required him to have healed every single afflicted person. That would have prevented him from teaching and sharing his good news during his short life on earth. Could Jesus have instantly healed Lazarus preventing him from dying? Of course, but Jesus’ healing was done according to his Father’s will.
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Jesus knew God’s will for Lazarus. He was dead for four days. There was a deeper meaning to Jesus’ words stating that Lazarus’ “sickness will not end in death.” First of all, Lazarus sickness did not ultimately end in death, he was resurrected and given earthly life again. Secondly, Jesus might have been foreshadowing a new kind of perpetual life that all Christian believers would receive.
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Well known for powerful emotion and the shortest verse in the entire Bible. This phrase says so much in two words. Jesus was both fully human and fully God. He is conscious of our suffering, and sympathetic to our sorrow. He felt deep sadness over the death of Lazarus and for Martha and Mary’s sorrow. It’s also important to know that despite God’s divine strength, He grieves over the tragic cost of sin. God would also create a perfect salvation for this pain.
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Was the glory of God, the healing of Lazarus? Yes. It was also much more.
Yes, God receives glory for amazing miracles. However, the ultimate glorification comes through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. He is the resurrection and the life. Everyone who believes in Christ will really never die.
“Awake my Soul” by Hillsong, depicts the love and majesty of this miracle so simply.
And when He moves
And when we pray
Where stood a wall now stands a way
Where every promise is amen
Awake my soul and sing
Sing His praise aloud
Sing His praise aloud
Jesus showed Martha, Mary, and others present, that Lazarus would not die. He showed them that his promises were true, and that all glory would go to God.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Applications:
- We must always have faith in God’s love must despite our most troubling adversity.
- Do we wait patiently for things to unfold at our pace or according to God’s plan?
- The miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead showed love, faith, and glory. It also showed Jesus’ power over death.
Key Takeaways:
- Are you facing physical, emotional, or financial struggles? Pray. Trust in God’s love for you. Keep plugging ahead and live faithfully. God works miracles.
- Martha and Mary wanted Jesus to heal Lazarus immediately before he died. They were probably disappointed or furious with with him for not being there in time. But, Jesus was there in time. I try to remember this during all of my challenges. We won’t stop seeing pain and problems, but Jesus will provide for us according to our Father’s will.
- During this season, emotions are heightened. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with stress, worry, and uncertainty. Look for the love in Jesus’ healing of Lazarus. Love for his friend Lazarus. Love Martha and Mary. Most importantly, God’s love for us in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.