"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"(John 11:25-26). Read John 11:1-44.
Jesus is about to do one of His greatest miraculous signs. He receives a frantic message to come to Lazarus who is gravely ill. But Jesus remains where He is. His disciples think Jesus is avoiding Jerusalem where the crowds had tried to stone Him a short time ago. But Jesus waits two days before finally heading out for Bethany, a small village near Jerusalem. Thomas tells his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
Jesus finally arrives after Lazarus has been dead four days. Martha says, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." But Jesus had a reason for His delay. Jewish rabbis believed a person's soul hovered over the body for three days, and then finally departed when decomposition set in. By waiting for the fourth day, Jesus would be performing a miracle none of the Jewish leaders could deny.
Sometimes we get confused by the struggles in our life. Like Martha we plead with the Lord to help, but when we need Him most He seems to delay, or not to hear. But Jesus has a purpose and a plan for everything He does for us.
Jesus told Martha "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus proved that by raising Lazarus from the dead-and by His own resurrection on the third day. When we are discouraged, beaten down and depressed, we can look to Jesus and know our future is secure.
THE PRAYER: Lord, give me confidence in Your victory during the dark days when I need You the most. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 12-14 Mark 14:27-53
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