A Miracle Of Life For Lazarus

Read John 11:1-57

Dee Dee Lee
As miracles go, Jesus’ raising Lazarus to life was a public display of His deity for those on the
scene that day and for us today. The miracle to restore life to Lazarus, a dear family friend,
came after he had been dead for four days. Do you believe life is only what God can give, and
that only God can miraculously bring someone back to life? Jesus’ words to Lazarus’ sister
Martha before the miraculous resurrection say it all (v. 40): “Didn’t I tell you that you will see
God’s glory if you believe?”

Two characters in this story I gravitate towards are Lazarus’ two sisters, Martha and Mary. It
is poignant to see the sisters’ faith “reactions” during this time of sorrow, disappointment,
testimony, disbelief, love and faith. There is no doubt that this story is in God’s Word to
encourage all of us. First - always trust in God. When Martha and Mary saw their brother die,
they doubted Jesus’ love and power when He didn’t come to heal Lazarus. When Jesus arrived
it was like He heard their disappointment, but by His responses He let both of them know His
heart for them. Do you feel God’s love for you in the midst of life’s darkest hours? Second - His
love for us is great (as great as it was for Martha, Mary and Lazarus). Even before Jesus brought
Lazarus back to life, Jesus took time to bring out the sisters’ faith in Him. Martha’s response is
what Jesus wants to hear as our faith response (v. 27, NLT) “Lord…I have always believed you
are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” When Mary,
the one most likely to be at Jesus’ feet learning from Him, fell at His feet weeping, His heart
was heavy and He wept. We can believe through this “miracle” story that our God understands,
cares and shares our sorrows!

This miracle would start the process that would end with Jesus’ death on the cross. Many used
this miracle as the final reason to reject Jesus as God’s Son and plot His death. But Jesus’ love
knows no bounds. His love is so great for us that even in our unbelief, sorrow, and doubts He
will perform miracles in our lives. Our future is secure as David Jeremiah writes, “Your future is
not bigger than God, nor your limitations larger than his grace. Your faith in him means your
future is with him.” God cares – Jesus’ death on the cross for us is strong enough proof of that.
His resurrection on Easter morning was the final step in proving Jesus, God incarnate, was and
is alive.

P R AY E R
Dear God, I believe You are the Holy One who loves me with a mighty love. I trust in You even
more when I see the miracles in the Bible and in my own life. Show me how to love You more
and empower me to share with others who You are. In Christ’s name, Amen.
 DAY 65

QUESTIONS
How has God given you a new life?

How has God’s love touched you in dark times?

Is your faith so strong that you know without a doubt that Jesus is God incarnate? Praise God
for what the cross means to you.

MY REFLECTIONS
Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: