John 11:38-44
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Today’s passage is the conclusion of the story of Jesus resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. If you haven’t already, read the rest of the story in John 11:1-37 before you begin today’s meditation.
Read John 11:38-44 noticing anything that stands out to you.
First Century Jews had a belief that the soul remained present with the body for three days after death. It is the fourth day since Lazarus died. His body has already started to decay in the tomb, and according to the beliefs of the mourners, his soul is gone.
But here among them is one who is more than a miracle worker, more than a great moral teacher, and more than a brilliant interpreter of Scripture. Here among them is one who is life itself. He can do more than restore breath to a corpse and reunite soul with body. He is the resurrection. He is life.
How do you react to this? Spend a moment contemplating the idea that Jesus is life, and then share any thoughts or questions with Jesus.
Read John 11:38-44 again imagining the sights and sounds as if you were there.
This is the last miracle of Jesus in John’s Gospel before the final events of his earthly life. Soon Jesus will face down evil and its ultimate consequence – death. As he stands at the open tomb of Lazarus, he shouts angrily and with ultimate authority, “Lazarus, come forth.”
We have a choice each day to focus on the daily realities of life or to focus on the possibilities that are present in Jesus. We can hold tightly to the dead ways of the world, or we can open ourselves to Jesus and allow him to shout life back into us.
Where do you need the shout of Jesus in your life today? Spend a few moments identifying where you have given up hope or where you are blind to the possibilities available in Jesus.
Picture Jesus standing in front of you and shouting life into each of these places in your life.
As you end this time, share anything you are thinking and feeling with Jesus and then get quiet and listen. You may sense Jesus prompting you to do something in response. If so, what will you do about that?
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