• New Testament Reading: John 11:1-57
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:1-6
• Points to Ponder

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Many so-called miracles can be faked. So many modern “miracle workers” have been exposed as
frauds. Real miracles are obviously miraculous - something that obviously defies the laws of nature.
No doubt many thought that Jesus’ miracles were feats of magic or slight of hand. But how do you
deny the miracle of raising someone from the dead, especially when that person died and was buried
four days ago. Lazarus’ death and burial had been witnessed by dozens, if not hundreds, of family,
friends and fellow Jews. Jesus, purposely delayed his response to his sisters’ plea to come to his
friend’s aid. “Lazarus is dead,” Jesus said, “and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you
may believe.” Once again, we see that the purpose of Jesus’ miracles was to create faith in those who
witnessed or heard. See 11:14, 42, 45, 48; 12:10-11, 18.

Questions to Consider: As Jesus asked Martha (11:25-26), so Jesus asks you, “Do you believe this?”
If one were to really believe this, how would it affect his approach to life and to death? Sometimes
Jesus calls us to do things that don’t make sense at the moment, or have an outcome that seems
uncertain or even negative to us. What did Jesus say to Martha when she hesitated to obey him?
Have you seen the glory of God in your life lately?