John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 7, Day 5

Prayer

As you spend time with Jesus, allow your mind and body to settle until you feel fully present. Ask Him to help you learn more about Him today.

Bible Reading: John 11:38-46

Read these verses three times slowly.

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

Chosen Scene

If you have time, you can watch this 10min dramatization from “The Chosen”: of today’s verses.

Reflection & Questions

In our third reading on the story of Lazarus, Jesus raises him from the dead, fulfilling His statement that this “will not end in death.”

To the horror of Martha (and most likely everyone present), Jesus tells them to move away the stone from the grave. But Jesus isn’t concerned in dealing with “bad odor”, He is all about showing “the glory of God.” Jesus isn’t afraid to dive into odors, nor our sin, to rescue us and show the glory of God!

Jesus then calls out to Lazarus, waking him up from death, and he comes out “his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” The story concludes with Jesus saying to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This is another amazing demonstration of Jesus’ power. It is also a comfort to us, who are yet to go through death. For those of us who believe in Jesus, He will exercise the same authority when we die. He will wake us up from death, and give us brand new clothes. No longer wrapped in death, we will be clothed in eternal life.

1. How does Jesus’ power over death in the story of Lazarus shape your perspective on your own mortality and the promise of eternal life?
2. How does the story of Lazarus challenge you to trust Jesus in situations that seem hopeless or beyond repair?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?