Resurrection Power

PRAY: Lord, please help me to understand what it means to experience "the power of [Jesus'] resurrection" (Philippians 3:10-11) as I spend time with You today.

READ: John 11:1-45

REFLECT: For Jesus, raising Lazarus was a very personal demonstration of His power. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were His close friends. He had eaten with them (Luke 10:38-42), cried with them (John 11:35), and over time had come to love them deeply (John 11:3). His relationship with these siblings reminds us of a vital truth about Jesus: in addition to being the Son of God, He was also a real man. He understands what it's like to be human. He's been where we are (Hebrews 4:15).

For the religious leaders, on the other hand, this miracle was the last straw. As we've seen in previous readings, Jesus was enjoying growing popularity, and it frustrated his opponents to no end. "Eventually, though, the press will move on," they must have thought, "and we'll be back in the headlines." But when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, the chief priests and Pharisees went over to the dark side for good (John 11:49-53). There was no way to stop someone with the power over life and death.

But that's exactly what Jesus claimed; He was "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25-26). Instead of seeing this as a threat, His followers both then and now understand what a wonderful promise it is: believing in Jesus is the way to eternal life (John 14:6). The Bible teaches that the resurrection of Jesus was the ultimate validation of His divine nature and mission (1 Corinthians 15:1-34). This miraculous raising of Lazarus as well as the raising of Jairus' daughter were early signs of the greatest resurrection that was soon to come, when God raised His own Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead.

There's an interesting detail buried in this dramatic raising of Lazarus from death. Earlier, Martha had been the fussy complainer who too distracted to be with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). Now she's the one with time to dialogue with Jesus about the deepest truths concerning His resurrection John 11:24). Though we've had weak moments or times of confusion about Jesus, it doesn't mean we can't keep growing in our faith. Thank God.

APPLY: A line from a popular country song says that all of us want to go to heaven, but none of us want to die. How do you feel about your own death?

PRAY: Are you able to use Martha's words as your prayer? "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world."

Discussion Questions for "More Miracles of Jesus"

1. Why do you think some people are skeptical about healings? What's your opinion about the possibility of healing today? Why?
2. Have you or someone close to you ever experienced what you would consider a miraculous healing? What happened?
3. How would you respond to a person who said, "Sickness is the result of sin. The first step to healing is to see if there is any unconfessed sin in your life"?
4. What's your opinion about the possibility of demon possession today? Do you think it's okay to watch movies or television programs about demon possession? Why?
5. How could you bring more of your friends to Jesus? Is that your responsibility?
6. Why is it so significant the Jesus raised Jairus' daughter and Lazarus from the dead? What did that signal to the religious leaders of that time? What does it signal to you?
7. Have you prayed to God and not been healed? How has that affected your faith?

The Essential Jesus (Part 14): The Prayers of Jesus

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