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Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Resurrection Power! Scripture: John 11:3-4 (NIV) – So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Message: In John Chapter 11, we see that Jesus saw an opportunity for a greater purpose to be served in this crisis. He decided to stay where He was for two more days after receiving word from the sisters that Lazarus was ill; however, He immediately spoke about what was not going to happen, and of what was going to happen in this situation. Specifically, the sickness was not to end in Lazarus’ death. Jesus’ purpose for not immediately going to save Lazarus, was twofold. Firstly, to glorify God, by demonstrating power over death, not just sickness; and, secondly, so that His disciples, and the many others who had gathered to console the sisters, would witness the greater miracle, and therefore believe that Jesus was God’s Son. While Martha was still in the midst of her despair over the loss of her brother, Jesus reminded her: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies…” “Do you believe this?”, He asked. Her response was, “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God…” How much more did Martha, and all those that witnessed Lazarus walking out of the tomb in his grave clothes, believe that Jesus was the great “I Am”! In observation of the Lenten season, we focus on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He had proven His authority over natural death through His raising of Lazarus. Now, through His own death and resurrection, Jesus declares an even greater victory; the world’s fatal sickness (sin) will not end in spiritual death to anyone who believes Jesus is the Son of God – the One who came to take away the sins of the world. Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to trust in Your plan when it looks to us that we’ve reached a dead end with nowhere to go. Like you did with Martha, please gently remind us that when we believe, we have the privilege of seeing God work in our lives in extraordinary ways. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen. Patti Gich
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