Month: September 2022

John 11:11-15, 25-26

Two days after learning that Lazarus was sick, Jesus told His disciples “Let us go to Judea again” (v.7). They were fearful for His life if He went back there.  Jesus was concerned about giving life to one that was dead.  

His answer to their fear was that one had twelve hours of daylight to walk without stumbling because he sees the light of this world (v.9).  If one walks in the night, he will stumble because the light is not in him (v.10). He was telling them that it would be safer to walk to Bethany during the daylight hours while God’s sun shone its light on the world.  They could walk without stumbling over obstacles. Spiritually those who walk in Him, the light of the world, would not stumble because in Him there is no darkness.  We can’t see danger in the dark because there is no light in us.  When we come out of darkness into the marvelous light, we can see clearly to avoid danger.    

After saying these things, He told them that our friend   Lazarus was sleep; He was going to wake him up (v.11).  The disciples did not understand.  They said, “Lord, if he is sleeping he will get well” (v.12).  Jesus was talking about Lazarus’ death; they were talking of Lazarus taking natural sleep (v.13).  Jesus now made it plain to them, saying, “Lazarus is dead (v.14).  Jesus told them that He was glad for their sakes that He was not there so that they may believe.  He told them, “Nevertheless, let us go to him” (v.15).

In verses 25 and 26 Jesus told Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  Whoever believes in and trusts in Me as Savior will live even if he dies (v.25); and everyone who lives and believes in Me as Savior will never die.  Do you believe this?”  Are you glad the all-powerful God woke you up from your sinful state and gave you life?

During Jesus’ ministry, He had formed a close relationship with three siblings – Lazarus, Mary, and Martha – of the town of Bethany. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (v.5). The scripture refers to Lazarus as a certain man who was sick (v.1). His sister, Mary, is the same Mary “who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair (v.2). Because of the close friendship these siblings had with Jesus, the sisters sent Him a message, letting Him know “the one whom You love is sick” (v.3). We do not know the nature or severity of his illness; we do know that when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ sickness, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory and honor of God.” A miracle would soon be performed “that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (v.4). Jesus declared on another occasion that He had all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, the songwriter wrote “My God can do anything.”

In order to demonstrate His power for the sisters and the disciples to believe, Jesus would use his friend’s sickness to prove His sovereignty. After getting the word that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where He was two more days (v.6). Then He told the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again” (v.7; 10:31-42). The disciples reminded Him of the danger of going back to Judea. “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again (v.8; 10:31-33)?”

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world (v.9). But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” (v.10). These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (v.11). Praise God that Jesus has the power to wake up the dead. Trust and believe that He is all- powerful.

Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, preaching the kingdom. He was walking by the Sea of Galilee and saw two brothers, who were fishermen. They were Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother; they were casting a net into the sea (v.18). Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (v.19). He gave them a command and made them a promise. “To follow” is an idiomatic expression of discipleship. Jesus called them to be His disciples and fish for the souls of men. In other words, He called them as His disciples to accept Him as their Master and Teacher and walk the same path of life that He walk and proclaim the message of good news.

How did the brothers respond to Him? “They immediately left their nets and followed Him (v.20). They were working for that was their source of income. However, when Jesus calls us to service in His kingdom, it is imperative that we SWWD (stop what we’re doing) respond as these brothers did – immediately. They left their nets to do Kingdom work. It is important work, and we must be willing to commit ourselves to His calling.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; they were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them (v.21); they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (v.22). They became His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example. They too were working, getting their nets ready for the next day. There is much work in the vineyard. Jesus is calling you today. Will you accept the call to His kingdom? He will make you fishers of men. Give Him a handclap and a shout of praise.

Psalm 136:1-3

There is no expiration on the goodness of God. Psalm 136:1-3 say: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever (v.1) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endures forever (v.2) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures forever” (v.3). Three times we are commanded to give Him thanks because “His mercy endures forever.” The repetition emphasized that in His goodness we have the everlasting promise of mercy. He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. No one is greater than He. He is our Creator, and He has been mighty good to us.

God’s people should always give Him thanks no matter what   our situation is. He delivered us from the grips of Satan. Is not our salvation His goodness? He is a way-maker; He has done it for us time and time again. He is a healer, a heart fixer, and a mind regulator. He is a provider. The song writer said that He is a battle-ax in the time of battle. He is shelter in the storm. We can count on Him always; Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We sing an old spiritual that says: “When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me, my soul cries out, hallelujah! I thank God for saving me.” Yes, His goodness never ends: for his mercy endures forever. Give God glory.