Tag: John 11
Death and sleep analogy
Scripture reading for April 21: John 11
“After saying these things, He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. So Thomas, called the twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” John 11:11-14
The world has many views of death and what happens when someone dies. Every person knows that they will die and there is a universal fear of death because of the understanding that God places in each human heart. Every person is aware of eternity and eternal life. Each person is aware of the judgment that they will face upon leaving this earth. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God has placed eternity in man’s heart. Hebrews 9:27 states that man is appointed once to die and after that comes the judgment. There is a fear of punishment in each heart, because all have sinned and have guilt and accountability before God. (Psalm 53:1-3) The soul that sins will die.
To His disciples, Jesus stated that His friend Lazarus had fallen asleep. Jesus knew that he had died but He also knew God’s divine purpose and what the Father was going to demonstrated to His disciples. Death for the believer is like his body being asleep. It rests in the grave awaiting the resurrection. At the resurrection, Jesus taught, the dead would hear the voice of God and those that hear (His sheep) will live. They would enjoy eternal life and not come into judgment. (John 5:24-25) Thomas, one of the disciples, evidently did not understand what Jesus had just said. He followed Jesus expecting death!
What is your world view concerning death and what happens to those who believe in Jesus? Does this account of Jesus raising Lazarus from death after four days stretch your faith? Can you identify with the world view of Thomas: Let’s follow Jesus and die with Him?
Prayer: Father God, As I have recently faced the death of one of my godly friends, this view of a temporary sleep is comforting to me. I am thankful that my life is in Your hands and the hands of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Help me to follow Jesus today and view life as opportunity and death as gain. Amen.
Jesus is the Christ, Son of God!
Scripture reading for April 20th: John 11
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 11:25-27 “Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was come into the world.””
Jesus tried to console Martha with promise of resurrection for her brother, who had been in the tomb for four days. Martha stated she believed in resurrection and then Jesus made an amazing promise. He stated one of the “I AM” promises recorded by the Apostle John, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” He stated that anyone who lived and believed in Him would never die and if you died believing you would live again. Mary told Jesus that she believed this too, because she believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God! Jesus then proved He had power to raise the dead by calling Lazarus from the grave!
Observations for over-comers: Faith in Jesus Christ, Son of God is the bedrock of resurrection life for each person. This truth is echoed by Job in the Old Testament! “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes, I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” (Job 19:25-27)
“I am the Resurrection and the Life!”
Scripture reading for April 21st: John 11
Humans are perplexed by death! Death is an enemy that brings fear, sorrow, and something that is usually irreversible by man’s power or ability. Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha had lost their brother Lazarus. They had send word to Jesus to come when he was near death, but Jesus delayed on purpose. Lazarus had been in the grave for four days when Jesus finally arrived on the scene.
“”Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:21-26)
Martha knew Jesus had power over sickness, having witnessed miracles He had done. She knew that God heard Jesus’ prayers. She also knew the teaching of the Scriptures that there would be a resurrection in the last day. (Daniel 12:3) But she had trouble thinking about Lazarus living again now. Jesus’ words brought her encouragement and she answered His question about believing, “Yes Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
This confession of faith is the key to salvation and resurrection for each person! Jesus demonstrated that He was the Christ by raising Lazarus from the dead after four days by calling his name! “Lazarus, come out!” (John 8:43) Have you made this confession for yourself?