Verses: John 11 : 1 - 16
My thoughts about the verses:
Imagine for a moment knowing that your close friend is dying. They need a bone marrow donation to live. Would you get in line immediately to see if you were a match? Would you wait and see if someone else stepped forward first? If you weren't a match would you help get other people to sign up to donate? Would you stand by and just watch them pass away without doing anything?
This may be something that you have already faced at some point in your life. You may have been able to give of yourself to help someone in need. It may have been through blood or bone marrow. You can also help people by being there supporting them as they face those hard moments. It may be the person who is sick or their family that needs your prayers and support but this is something that you can do even when you are not able to do other things.
This is what Jesus was experiencing in this very moment. He was dear friend was dying. Lazarus and his two sisters needed their friend there. Jesus had the lifesaving medicine. Yet, Jesus did something that was probably harder for him to do than it would be for us. He did not rush to Lazarus and heal him. Jesus allowed Lazarus to fall into the deep sleep. He was going to do something for his friend that meant more than healing him from his illness.
Jesus needed to show the world that Jesus could overcome death. This would be an example that the community would remember when his own death came. See if the community had not seen this miracle they may have not fully accepted Christ resurrection. Jesus was setting a precedent that no one else would be able to do. The fact that life would not hold back his powers was something that his followers did not understand fully.
His followers even tried to keep him from going back to Judea. They were afraid he would be stoned if he went back because his death was on the hearts of the Jewish leaders. Jesus taught them not to be afraid. That as long as you are doing the right thing in the right way you will have all the support you need. It is when you do the right thing the wrong way, or the wrong thing, that you will stumble. They went with him. Yet, they also went with the thought that if he is going to die returning we will follow him even if we are to be killed. How ironic that they were willing to do it in this moment when much later other decisions would be made.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for loving us. Thank you for dying so that we may have everlasting life. Dear God we ask that you come into our lives. Help us live without fear. Guide us to do your will. Help us walk with the spirit of freedom that you give us through everlasting life. In you Holy Name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever helped someone without question? How can you help people in need? Have you learned to walk without fear? Are you walking in the light or are you stumbling in the dark?
My thoughts about the verses:
Imagine for a moment knowing that your close friend is dying. They need a bone marrow donation to live. Would you get in line immediately to see if you were a match? Would you wait and see if someone else stepped forward first? If you weren't a match would you help get other people to sign up to donate? Would you stand by and just watch them pass away without doing anything?
This may be something that you have already faced at some point in your life. You may have been able to give of yourself to help someone in need. It may have been through blood or bone marrow. You can also help people by being there supporting them as they face those hard moments. It may be the person who is sick or their family that needs your prayers and support but this is something that you can do even when you are not able to do other things.
This is what Jesus was experiencing in this very moment. He was dear friend was dying. Lazarus and his two sisters needed their friend there. Jesus had the lifesaving medicine. Yet, Jesus did something that was probably harder for him to do than it would be for us. He did not rush to Lazarus and heal him. Jesus allowed Lazarus to fall into the deep sleep. He was going to do something for his friend that meant more than healing him from his illness.
Jesus needed to show the world that Jesus could overcome death. This would be an example that the community would remember when his own death came. See if the community had not seen this miracle they may have not fully accepted Christ resurrection. Jesus was setting a precedent that no one else would be able to do. The fact that life would not hold back his powers was something that his followers did not understand fully.
His followers even tried to keep him from going back to Judea. They were afraid he would be stoned if he went back because his death was on the hearts of the Jewish leaders. Jesus taught them not to be afraid. That as long as you are doing the right thing in the right way you will have all the support you need. It is when you do the right thing the wrong way, or the wrong thing, that you will stumble. They went with him. Yet, they also went with the thought that if he is going to die returning we will follow him even if we are to be killed. How ironic that they were willing to do it in this moment when much later other decisions would be made.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for loving us. Thank you for dying so that we may have everlasting life. Dear God we ask that you come into our lives. Help us live without fear. Guide us to do your will. Help us walk with the spirit of freedom that you give us through everlasting life. In you Holy Name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever helped someone without question? How can you help people in need? Have you learned to walk without fear? Are you walking in the light or are you stumbling in the dark?
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