Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

The Resurrection and the Life

Pray…

Father, show me the parts of me that are not surrendered to you. Draw me deeper into right relationship with you. Convict me of the sins that I need to let go of. Empower to live as your servant. In Jesus name, Amen.

Read…

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 NIV

Consider…

Jesus spoke these words to Martha shortly before raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. These words operate on so many different layers. First, Jesus was just about to literally resurrect Lazarus and bring him back to life. Second, Jesus would soon be crucified and buried in the ground. On the third day, His own resurrection would take place as He walked out of His own grave. And thirdly, we know that anyone who chooses to have faith in Jesus would gain eternal life and never truly die. Martha, not having seen any of this take place yet, still responds to Jesus’s words by saying, “Yes, Lord,I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Do you ever doubt that? If so, don’t beat yourself up. Bring those doubts to Jesus. He’s big enough to handle them.

How should this promise of Jesus change the way you live on a daily basis? What do we have to be afraid of when not even death can hold us? What would help you actually live like you believed these truths?

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you won’t be distracted. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch.

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Ask God to speak to you, and sit quietly, eagerly listening for what He has to say.

Settle in by praying these words adapted from a prayer the Apostle Paul included in Ephesians:

Father God, Give me the power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Fill me to the brim with all the fullness of you. In Jesus name, amen.

When you get distracted, repeat the prayer above to help you bring your attention back to God.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and head into the rest of your day with a clearer sense of His presence.