JOHN 11:38-44

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”

 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

TO PONDER

I know, I know - it's a long reading for a short devotion, but let me ask you this, what would you leave out? This story has everything, it starts with a command from Jesus, then a question or perhaps an expression of doubt from Martha. Isn't this how most of us relate when Jesus asks us to do something? "Surely you don't really want me to do that Jesus".

Then come Jesus' words of assurance, "did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" The glory of God is the reward for those who believe in Jesus. It may not always be immediately visible or perceivable, but it is the promised reward, and God always keeps his promises.

Then there's the act of obedience, in other words, assured by the promise, the people do what Jesus asks. This too is to be our response - we may question at first, but once reassured by the promise we are to respond with obedience.

In their act of obedience Jesus brings life where there was death. Notice though how their obedience did not give them life. Their obedience brought life to someone else. This is the work of Jesus, to bring life where there is death. He asks us as his disciples to help with that work by obediently following him and his instruction so others may encounter the Glory of God through us.

PRAYER: Lord God, you bring life, even when we are surrounded by death and not able to see how you could turn things around. Forgive me when I doubt what you can do and help me to obey you in all things so that others may see your glory. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle