Today's Readings - 2 Kings 17-18, John 11:28–44, Psalm 71:1–6, Proverbs 14:23-24
Devotional
It was something I'd never seen before, the description of Jesus' mood in John 11:38, as he strode over to Lazarus' tomb and looked at the ultimate fruit of human sinfulness.
Death was not part of God's plan, not part of the creation he called "very good." And standing there staring at the enemy of life, the last enemy to be destroyed, the wages of all sin, Jesus was indignant. This was not what he wanted for us and it provoked him to see what our sin had done to his plan.
But he was also excited, a concept carried within the meaning of that word as well. In a few minutes, he would give a brief glimpse into the purpose of his life. People thought he came to establish a political kingdom and defeat Rome. Jesus came to do much more than that. He came to defeat death eternally and redeem a people who, through him, would never face death. In a moment he would give one man a brief reprieve from death. Lazarus would be restored to life and to his family for a time - how long we do not know; nothing is known of Lazarus from this moment on.
But bringing Lazarus to life was just a hint, a foretaste of the glory that awaited in the future. Not long from that day, Jesus would be led to death at the cross and brutally murdered. He would be placed in the tomb and then, the death of death would come. Jesus would burst forth from the tomb never to taste death again. And, he was the firstfruits of those who would believe on him.
Because of Jesus Christ, death has been ultimately, completely, radically, and eternally defeated. Throughout our walk with Jesus through the birth narratives, through his early Galilean ministry, through the decisive days as people began to turn away and the conflicts with the Pharisees intensified, to this moment when things came to a boiling point, Jesus had revealed himself. He'd shown himself strong, and pure, and powerful, and wise. But nothing he ever did in his earthly work revealed Jesus as clearly as his work at Lazarus' tomb. He stood there and conquered death - only for a moment, but it was a foretaste of glory divine.
That's what Jesus came to do, and as he stood at Lazarus' tomb he was both angry at the effects of sin that brought him to that point and excited about the work he was about to do by his resurrection.
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb.
Jesus was angry deep within.Jesus was angry, upset, indignant at the horror that sin had wrought upon his glorious creation. God created this world glorious and idyllic, without sin, sorrow and certainly without death. Then the Serpent showed up in the Garden and started whispering in Adam's and Eve's ears. God is just holding you down, trying to keep you from reaching your full potential. If you would just throw off the yoke of his oppressive rules, rebel, and what you want you will find joy, contentment, and peace beyond your wildest dreams. They bought into his lies, sin broke the beauty of God's perfect world and death came through sin.
Death was not part of God's plan, not part of the creation he called "very good." And standing there staring at the enemy of life, the last enemy to be destroyed, the wages of all sin, Jesus was indignant. This was not what he wanted for us and it provoked him to see what our sin had done to his plan.
But he was also excited, a concept carried within the meaning of that word as well. In a few minutes, he would give a brief glimpse into the purpose of his life. People thought he came to establish a political kingdom and defeat Rome. Jesus came to do much more than that. He came to defeat death eternally and redeem a people who, through him, would never face death. In a moment he would give one man a brief reprieve from death. Lazarus would be restored to life and to his family for a time - how long we do not know; nothing is known of Lazarus from this moment on.
But bringing Lazarus to life was just a hint, a foretaste of the glory that awaited in the future. Not long from that day, Jesus would be led to death at the cross and brutally murdered. He would be placed in the tomb and then, the death of death would come. Jesus would burst forth from the tomb never to taste death again. And, he was the firstfruits of those who would believe on him.
Because of Jesus Christ, death has been ultimately, completely, radically, and eternally defeated. Throughout our walk with Jesus through the birth narratives, through his early Galilean ministry, through the decisive days as people began to turn away and the conflicts with the Pharisees intensified, to this moment when things came to a boiling point, Jesus had revealed himself. He'd shown himself strong, and pure, and powerful, and wise. But nothing he ever did in his earthly work revealed Jesus as clearly as his work at Lazarus' tomb. He stood there and conquered death - only for a moment, but it was a foretaste of glory divine.
That's what Jesus came to do, and as he stood at Lazarus' tomb he was both angry at the effects of sin that brought him to that point and excited about the work he was about to do by his resurrection.
Father, I thank you that Jesus defeated death for me. I have the sure and certain hope of the resurrection through his work on the Cross. Death is defeated, Jesus is victorious, I am bound for life and nothing in this world can stop that work. Praise your holy name.
Think and Pray
Spend some time thanking God and praising him for the eternal victory you have in Christ, the victory over death - no matter what this life brings you have nothing to fear!
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