Our scripture this week is John 11:1-45.
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
John 11:38-45
Jesus raised Lazarus not as a favor to a friend, not to relieve Mary and Martha’s grief, and certainly not to just impress people with His power. He tells those assembled “if you believe you will see the glory of God” (verse 40). Pointing people to God has always been His purpose.
Throughout His ministry Jesus teaches how we can be connected to God. He tells us “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). His miracles are not for His own glory, but to show us we can have that same relationship by believing in Him.
Our faith in Him is not intended to put us above others, but rather to make us all part of the whole we were created to be. All of His lessons and actions are part of God’s plan to reunite us as brothers and sisters under His care. Our task is to listen, learn and obey His call to reach out to all people in His name.
Gracious God, we are awed by the power displayed in Jesus’ works. Help us to see that these miracles are the promise of Your love for us and the blessing of salvation that can be ours through our faith in Him. Amen.