Then Jesus ... came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." ... And Jesus ... said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me." ... He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." (John 11:38-39a, 41b, 43b-44)
It's the practical details that get me. While everyone else is standing around gaping at the miracle, Jesus sees that Lazarus is still tangled up in his grave clothes! So He tells the people to untie him.
It's the same sort of thing Jesus said when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead. He told them to give her something to eat. Very practical, especially if she'd been too sick to be hungry for a long while!
And then there's Jesus' instructions about His own resurrection. He tells His disciples, "After I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee" (Matthew 26:32b). He's making an appointment with them! But they are too upset to take note. The angels have to remind them again on Easter morning (see Matthew 28:7).
How can Jesus be so practical? I think it's because He has absolute heartfelt faith in His Father. He knows God will raise Lazarus—raise the little girl—raise Jesus Himself. He is certain that His own death on the cross for our sakes will not be the end of Him; and when He rises, He will become the source of everlasting life for all of us who believe in Him. Jesus can be practical, because His resurrection—and ours—is guaranteed.
WE PRAY: Lord, strengthen my faith in You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What else do you suppose Lazarus needed right away?
* Do you tend to be practical, or the very opposite?
* When is your faith in Jesus strongest? Weakest? Why?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 14 Mark 8:1-21
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