Over the last few days I have been reading the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This is one of those passages when I read, tears come to my eyes. I think what it must have been like for Mary and Martha, the hurt they felt with their brother’s death. They knew Jesus could have healed him, yet He was not there. I am sure people must have been asking “why Jesus, why?” When Jesus arrives Martha comes to Him, but Mary stays behind. Martha tells Jesus “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise again. Martha believed this to be true, but in the resurrection on the last day. Then Jew’s were saying “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:36-37 NKJV)
People may have been questioning why Jesus did not come and save Lazarus. But Jesus had a plan. Not just a plan, but a mission. Could you just imagine what the people thought when Jesus said, “Take away the stone?” It is not everyday someone rises from the dead, so they question Jesus again. Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:39) But this day God would be glorified and Jesus would be glorified through it. He did this that His disciples would believe. (See John 11:4, 15) Our last enemy is death and Jesus proves He has power over death.
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44)
This just blows me away. I am in total awe when I read this. WOW! What is our last enemy? It is death and Jesus defeated it! Thank you Lord Jesus, Thank you! You showed You have power over death and then You defeated it on the cross at Calvary.
Read the rest of the passage: John Chapter 11
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Thanks, Ken. This gives us all the confidence to go forward in this life without worries. Nothing---not even death---can stop our march to eternal life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Death were is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory? Jesus has defeated death, and because of that, His children shall live forevermore.
ReplyDeleteI too thank our Lord Jesus Christ for what He has done for us!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post my friend and brother in Christ!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
God Bless,
Lon
Can you imagine the whispers going around when Jesus said roll the stone away? There must have been gasps and no's and maybe many were repremanding Him. I can feel the intensity in the air while all eyes were watching and waiting to see what would happen. I can feel the thickness of the Holy Spirit moving through the crowd and the gasps as Lazarus came out!
ReplyDeleteCan you image what it will be like when He comes again? Wow, I am excited!!
Thanks for a great post.
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I just loved your re-telling of this story. I'm afraid I'm way too much like Martha. "Where were you, Lord??" - I think that would be my question. (I know it would be, if I'm honest, because all the time I seem to ask now, "Where ARE you, Lord?")
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder that He conquered our worst enemy - death. Because of Him, we will never pass away - we will pass on into the eternity He has planned for us.
GOD BLESS!
Thank you Clint, Lisa, Lon, Child of God, and Sharon for taking time out of your days to stop by my blog and leaving your wonderful comments. I greatly appreciate it and I pray the Lord bless you.
ReplyDeleteKen
Ken,
ReplyDeleteThere is so much truth to ponder in this passage. Like you said, these verses bring tears to my eyes. Our enemy is defeated! Our God reigns!
Hi Ken -
ReplyDeleteI second your "WOW" on the Lazarus story. It is so awesome and the witnesses that were there - I can only imagine their varied responses.
You expressed, "But Jesus had a plan. Not just a plan, but a mission."
Amen to that Ken - yes, a hearty Amen - indeed.
Thank you Karen and lioneagle for leaving your comments. I value our fellowship with believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you
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