Has someone you love died? Then you know the feelings death detonates in your body: anger, self-pity, depression, confusion, grief, anguish.

Scripture tells of Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus, who was sick. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, quickly sent word. “Come, Lord, and save him!” But incredibly, Jesus didn’t come. Lazarus died. The sisters entombed Lazarus and sank into grief and confusion. Where was the Lord? Jesus could’ve saved their brother! Weren’t they his closest friends? Four days later Jesus finally showed up! Martha, beside herself with grief, accused, “Jesus, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” John 11:1-43

Jesus quietly answered, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:25-26)? I don’t think Martha had a clue what He meant. Would you?

They walked to the tomb and Jesus commanded the stone sealing the entry be rolled away. Then, stunning everyone, he commanded, “Lazarus, come out!” Instantly Lazarus stood before him! Alive! Jesus ordered the grave clothes removed and mayhem followed as incredulous onlookers gawked and shouted, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Did anyone pinch Lazarus to see if this miracle was real? I would’ve.

Jesus’ name is The Resurrection and The Life. His dying is mankind’s only hope, then and now.

Resurrection in Greek means anastasis: literally a resurrection from the dead; a standing up again. Can we wrap our minds around that? Jesus promises to stand us on our feet again. Not just when we die but when we fail or sin. Faith in Him opens the door for this miracle of new life, eternal life.

Lazarus is Jesus’ ‘show and tell’ of His power to stand men up again. Jesus later demonstrated His power over His own death by rising on the third day after crucifixion. He has the authority and power to lay down his life and stand up again alive. John 10:18 He is resurrection. He is life. No other god has that power.

Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe Him. “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9).

Jesus wakened Lazarus from death so Jesus would get glory, people would see His glory and believe, and so Lazarus would live again.

Do you know this astonishing God who raises dead folks? Who lifts us into abundant newness of life now no matter our trials and heartaches and promises a tomorrow seated next to Him in Heaven?

Ask Him if He’s real. Test Him and see if He answers. But watch out, Jesus will call your name, remove your grave clothes and stand you on your feet. Forever.

Father of Life, resurrect me from my grave and unwrap me to newness of life. I believe, help my unbelief. Thank you, amen.

Questions: Do you know this Jesus who is ”The Resurrection and The Life”? If you know Him, what difference has He made in your life?

About the Author  Petey Prater

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Cross: Why we Believe, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

She didn’t feel worthy of praying to God herself so she came to my office for prayer. The potholes on her road in life were numerous and she knew she needed God’s help. She also knew that many of her problems had been of her own making so she felt she did not qualify to go to Him and ask. She wanted me to ask for her. She felt God would hear me better than He would hear her. But she was wrong.

She didn’t know that God had already made a statement in His Word about this very thing.

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 12:10-11).

God does not meet our needs because of who we are… but because of who He is. “The Lord is rich unto all who call upon Him”. What a promise! His wealth of love and compassion and forgiveness and help and strength and wisdom, all His riches, are available to those who call upon Him.

Don’t waste another minute thinking you somehow don’t qualify to go to God because of the messes in your life. “The same Lord over all” includes you!

You are invited today to call on Him. He waits to hear your voice and to come and save you and meet your needs out of His riches

Father God,
Thank you that I can come to You and call upon You, not because of who I am but because of who You are. Thank you that You are the same Lord over all of us and You will show Yourself to those who call on You. I cry out to you today to come into my life and my circumstances. Forgive me for the messes I have made and meet my needs today out of your rich supply of strength and wisdom. You know what I need today Lord. Thank you that I can ask because of who You are. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Questions: Do you feel as if God can not forgive you because of your past actions? What could be your first step to find out more about God?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Light & Darkness, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog