John 11 31-44 the Death and Resurrection of Lazarus

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus wept. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

This event was a turning point that occurred just prior to Jesus going to the cross to be put to death and physically raise from the dead after three days. This was a sign to the Israelites that Jesus has both the power to give and take life. There was nothing comparable done in Jesus ministry this far. He healed, but now he has shown that he carries the power to bring the dead to life.

Daily Prayer: Father if anyone has eyes, then let him see. You have proven your divine nature through Jesus Christ Your Son. At the cross, he freely laid down his life to pay the penalty of my sins, and freely took it up to claim the victory over death and the devil. I worship you for your awesome work and deeds and trust you with my soul to preserve it with you forever. Amen.