2. READ
John 11:35–44 (NIV)
35Jesus wept.
36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from
dying?”38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the
entrance. 39“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.”
40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard
me. 42I 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.”
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a
44
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
3. RELECT
Jesus hears of Lazarus’ sickness before he dies, but delays leaving for a couple of days,
telling his disciples that the illness isn’t fatal. When he finally arrives at the village, though,
Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Mary and Martha express their
disappointment, knowing that Jesus would have been able to save their brother. Though he
tries to comfort the sisters, Jesus himself is moved to tears.
Then, the one thing happens that only Jesus knew was possible. Jesus has the stone
removed from the mouth of the tomb, and after calling out loud to God, he shouts for
Lazarus, and Lazarus comes out! The people are astonished. They begin to believe in
Jesus, and even the Pharisees admit that Jesus is performing miracles.
But what about Lazarus? How did this experience affect him? We don’t hear from him
again after this, so we are only left to speculate how he used his second chance. What
misunderstanding did he clear up? What longtime grudges did he forgive? Who had he
taken for granted that he said, “I love you” to?
4. Respond
Make today your second chance—
to be more forgiving, to be
more accepting, to be more
loving, to be more thankful,
to be more truthful, to be more
like Jesus.
Listen to Bethel here:
5. THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS
MADE, I WILL REJOICE AND BE
GLAD IN IT!
