Within this week’s passage, we find an incredibly challenging statement from Jesus: “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” (John 12:25, NASB). It is understandable when people wrestle with this expectation of being a disciple! As Christ followers, are we supposed to hate prime rib, walks on the beach, weddings, baby showers, and beautiful sunsets? No. That’s not what Jesus is implying.
Read MoreJesus: Raising to Life, Preparing for Death
Have you ever been in a place so dark that you became disoriented once you came into the light?
When we were first married, we lived in Duncan, Oklahoma, a mid-sized rural town in the southwest part of the state with many stoplights but only one Wal-Mart. In February 2009, we were hit with a significant ice and snowstorm that shut our electricity down for fourteen straight days. We knew it was coming and were prepared with food, water, and a small generator.
Read MoreA Reflection and Invitation to Contemplative Prayer & Meditation
In the Gospel of John, Chapters 11 and 12 are filled with beautiful, confounding, and thought-provoking words of Jesus. As you are reading through these chapters today, focus on the words in red. Jesus is always teaching through what He is doing AND speaking to His disciples and the crowds following Him.
Read MoreNotice that it was Jesus’ love for these people that prompted His delay in going to Lazarus and his sisters. It says, “Now Jesus loved…so, He stayed…” (John 11:5-6, ESV).
What was the initial result of Jesus’ decision? Lazarus died. In fact, by the time Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ hometown, he had already been dead four days. His body was tucked away in a tomb. When Jesus plainly revealed to the disciples that Lazarus was dead,
Read MoreThe narrative of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus, found in John 11, has captivated audiences for generations. The story is told with a high level of suspense and emotion. The episode begins with the narrator telling us that a man named Lazarus, brother of two women named Mary and Martha, has fallen ill. The story assumes a close relationship between Jesus and these siblings. Jesus responds to the word sent by the sister by informing his disciples—and us, the audience—that the situation will not end in death, but in God being glorified. We know, from that moment, that this story will end well, no matter how it might get there.
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