Fifth Sunday in Lent - Waiting

Goes along with Adult 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

When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, he didn’t go visit him right away. He could have healed him, but he chose to wait. He waited so long that Lazarus died four days before he got there. Does that seem strange to you? 

Jesus explained to his disciples, and to Lazarus’s sisters and friends, that he waited for a reason: he wanted everyone to believe in him.

After he explained his reasoning, he called out to Lazarus. Remember, Lazarus was dead! He had been dead and buried for days! But when Jesus called his name, Lazarus came out of the tomb alive. It was a miracle!

If Jesus had chosen to heal Lazarus before he died, that would have been a miracle, too. However, sick people can get better on their own, or they can be helped by doctors. Dead people stay dead, and no doctor can fix that. Only God has power over death. So when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, he proved that he was God, and he had that power!

Not too long after this event, Jesus died on the cross. Don’t forget - by raising Lazarus, Jesus proved that he was stronger than death. He could defeat it. He didn’t have to die. He chose to die to save us. And he performed another miracle by rising from the dead, so that everyone would believe in him!

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, I believe that you have amazing power in my life! Sometimes, I forget that you are in my life every day. I thank you for always being here for me. I ask that you would strengthen my belief in you. In Your name I pray, Amen.