The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory
In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.
Today's Reading: John 11
Through the Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 15-16, Mark 15:1–20, Psalm 37:1–7, Proverbs 8:30-31
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Context
The fifth of the seven "I Am" statements in John's gospels comes in the story of one of Jesus' greatest miracles, the raising of Lazarus. I have quoted this verse in dozen, perhaps a hundred or more funerals. "I am the resurrection and the life."Note that while "I am life" is never one of the statements, it is related to almost all of them. Bread sustains life as does water. Light guides us through life. The shepherd guides the sheep as they find the necessities of life and protects them from those who threaten their lives. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the vine and we are the branches. Branches separated from the vine are, well, not alive.
The "I Am" statements affirm Jesus' divinity and define him as the source of all we need, but even more clearly assert that Jesus is life itself - not just the source of life, but life! That is why, in today's devotional, Jesus' reaction to death is so emotional.
Devotional: When Jesus Got Angry
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. Death caused pain to people he loved - not just the sisters of Lazarus, but all of us.
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.
That is why he made the triumphant claim to the sisters, in verses 25-26,
Because of Jesus Christ, death has been ultimately, completely, radically, and eternally defeated. Jesus' life reveals him as 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 oh, what 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. Death caused pain to people he loved - not just the sisters of Lazarus, but all of us.
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.
That is why he made the triumphant claim to the sisters, in verses 25-26,
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.When he raised Lazarus to life it was 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. Jesus' life reveals him as 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 oh, what 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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