The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and EverybodySample

LAZARUS: THE ONE WHO HAD A SENSATIONAL STORY

I am Lazarus, the follower who died. Let me rephrase that. I am the follower who died and came back to life. People are always asking me what it was like. They want some crazy, intense drama, but I have a boring story because I don't remember most.

Here's what I do remember: I got sicker than I had ever been in my life. The next thing I knew, I woke up in pitch blackness, feeling tightly constricted. I tried to wiggle my arms and legs to loosen up the bandages because I could barely walk.

After that, once my eyes adjusted to the light, I remembered my sister's faces outside the tomb. They were in shock. I had been raised from the dead by Jesus. He knew I was sick, but when asked to come, Jesus took his time. He even declared I was dead and would bring me back so they might believe. But no one understood.

When Jesus finally arrived, Martha went first and called him out. She knew Jesus could have made me better; she had lost all hope. Jesus was heartbroken by her grief. I was his friend, too. I still am his friend, and he was heartbroken. Jesus hates death. He screamed and cried when He saw what pain death caused.

Jesus cries with you. He grieves loss and hates pain. Jesus would never tell you to get over it. Instead, he sits down and hurts right alongside you.

I became kind of a celebrity afterward. People wanted to hang with me simply because of the stories. Jesus was becoming quite the sensation through me. So that's my claim to fame. I am the follower who had a sensational story. But it's not my story, remember? I was dead for most of it! What could I do? This is Jesus's story. And I'm happy to tell that story of him for the rest of my days. I am not afraid of death. I've faced it. I don't want to miss living for him.

Jesus is healing bodies, making powerful and mighty miracles happen in your midst.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. What was Martha's response when Jesus finally did show up?

2. What do you do when Jesus does not answer you how you want him to?

3. What miracle can you pray for today?