“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” They said, “Rabbi, you can’t do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you’re going back?” Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn’t stumble because there’s plenty of light from the sun. Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can’t see where he’s going.” He said these things, and then announced, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up.” The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.” Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap. Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him. When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house. Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.” (John 11: 5-22) The Message Bible) “Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!” Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.” They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.” Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (John 11:38-44 The Message Bible)
The scripture segment of this meditation was long, so I will be brief in my comments today, remarks inspired by last Friday’s one-person performance or worship led celebration.
The title says it all, “Bring The Dead To Life…With Jesus.” Yes, you already know that Jesus will save folks from eternal death. Yes, you are already aware of the fact that He will give us abundant life in our earthly experience and eternal life in heavenly experiences to come. But pay attention now! Jesus will also bring the dead to life in very specific things, if you just call on Him. Some examples: If your motivation for pressing on by faith has died, if your hunger for the word has died, if you willingness to pick up your cross and follow Jesus has died, if you interest in being in the assembly of the saints has died, if a significant relationship seems to have died, if your hope for a brighter day has died, if your excitement in life has died, call on Jesus, for He can bring the dead to life. There is a plethora of things that I could have listed that would include whatever has died in your spiritual walk with the Lord and in your everyday situations, but the prescription remains the same, call on Jesus. He can, and you know it from your own experience; He can bring the dead to life. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
With Jesus all things are possible. He has already laid out the plan and all we have to do is follow it. One thing He says is “come to me all who are heavy laden”. What does that mean? It’s already been expressed in today’s title.