Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 7-9; John 11
Devotional Thought:
John 11:25-26 says,”Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. There are some very interesting decisions of Jesus as He prepared His disciples and followers to have their faith increased. When word comes to Jesus that Lazarus is sick, He chooses to stay for two days until Lazarus has died. Then he lets His disciples know that Lazarus is dead. He is preparing them for a tremendous miracle and an amazing truth, that He has power over death. “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” (vs. 11) When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Martha confronts and yet shows confidence in the Lord. “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” Jesus confirms her faith by stating, “Thy brother shall rise again.” (vs. 21-23) When asked if Martha believes that Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life, she responds, “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (vs. 27) Once Jesus had called for Mary, He asked, “Where have ye laid him?” The verses around this statement are so comforting to me. I do not have a High Priest that cannot be touched with my infirmities. He certainly understands when I am sorrowing, hurt, offended, frustrated, or sad. When Jesus saw Mary and the other Jews weeping, He wept and the people concluded, “Behold how He loved him!” (vs. 36) I wonder how many times Jesus has wept with me or over me. As Jesus prepares to increase the faith of those around Him, he tells the men to remove the stone and cried out, “Lazarus, come forth!” Jesus prayed that the people would see the glory of God and be convinced that God had sent Him as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, to take away the sins of the world. As we find today, some believed and some went their ways to the Pharisees. How sad that “from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” Therefore, Jesus “walked no more openly among the Jews.” Caiaphas had it right, Jesus had come to die for the Jewish people, “…and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” (vs. 52)
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help my faith to increase. May I be vigilant to see your mighty works and may my faith increase as I see your name glorified.
• Lord, please help me to never question your will, wisdom, or works. You are always right and will bring beauty out of ashes and glory out of gloom.
• Lord, thank you for caring when I hurt, and for being a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.