Fifth Sunday in Lent - Waiting

Goes along with Kids Devotion of the same title.

Jesus raised Lazarus so that we might believe in his power over death.

Read John 11:1-45.

Bible Focus: “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.’” -John 11:14-15a

John’s Gospel makes it clear: Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. They were his friends. He wept at Lazarus’s tomb. He encouraged Martha and grieved with Mary. This begs the question, then: why didn’t Jesus heal Lazarus while he was still alive? Why did he wait until four days after he died?

Right before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he prayed:

“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” -John 11:41-42

Jesus didn’t raise Lazarus solely for the benefit of Lazarus and his sisters. He raised him for the Jews who were there to comfort Mary and Martha. He raised him for the disciples who followed Jesus. He raised him for us, thousands of years later. We all need to understand and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent from his Father, working miracles in his Father’s name. 

That explains the miracle, but why the waiting?

Sick people can get better on their own, or they can be helped by doctors. Dead people stay dead, and no one can change that. By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus proved that he was different. He had the power to defeat death.

Later, when he allowed others to kill him on a cross, those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus could remember that Jesus had that power to defeat death - but he chose not to use it.

Just like when he raised Lazarus, Jesus didn’t die for his own benefit. He died for Lazarus and his sisters, for the Jews, for the disciples, for us. And he rose again, so that we would understand and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent from his Father, working miracles in his Father’s name.

Your challenge this week:

Read Luke 7:11-17 and/or Luke 8:40-56 for more accounts of Jesus raising the dead.

Please pray:

Dear Jesus, you have power over death. I confess that I sometimes doubt your power in my life. Thank you for the miracles you still perform every day, despite our doubts. I ask that you would strengthen my belief in you. In your name I pray, Amen.