In John 11, Jesus begins to move back toward Jerusalem. The cross looms near, just days away.
Read John 11.
So far in John, Jesus has turned water to wine, healed many, fed 5000, and walked on water. His authority on earth was already blatantly obvious. Yet, Christ saved his greatest sign for last. By raising Lazarus after 4 days, Jesus proved that he could defeat death.
Jesus had come down to earth after being in heaven from eternity past. He opened up his heart to love Lazarus and his family. Now, he finds himself in a scene surrounded by Lazarus and his family and friends, the air thick with grief, the collective loss of hope deflating anyone who had a soul. Jesus knew all along he would heal Lazarus (hence the extra two-day wait), but he still felt the pain of the situation. And all of this - this whole scene - was a result of death.
It is no wonder he wept. As the God-man, he was able to see this event in a way that is unique to anyone else in the universe. As God, he had seen death take its toll on his beloved people since time's beginning. As man, he was now seeing death affect a close, beloved friend.
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live." (11:25)
As Life, Jesus' great enemy is Death. As we will see in a few chapters, Jesus deals Death a final punch on the cross.
Today, meditate on the power and the love of Christ. Notice that he never had to emotionally engage with Lazarus in order to showcase authority over death. He could have kept him at an arm's length, knowing it would save him pain later on. But he didn't. He made him a beloved friend. Likewise, Jesus could have performed his duty on the cross as a service to the Father without loving us. But he didn't. He was willing to open his heart to us and love us at any cost. May we open our hearts to him as well.
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Thank you for defeating death.
My greatest enemy has been defeated.
There is no need to fear in this life.
Thank you for caring for us personally.
In no one else is there a combination of power and love that compares.
Take my heart this day and help me to love like you do.
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Join fellow Christ-followers in prayer and fasting during Lent (February 13 through March 31, 2013). Use the "prayer starters" each day and feel free to click "comments" to see how others are doing and share your own journey.
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What is "Lent?"
"Lent" has been celebrated by Christians for many generations. It is a time set aside for preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally Lent is the forty-day period preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, this is actually 46 days because the western church doesn't count Sundays (as we are to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday).
How should I keep Lent?
We are asking the church family to spend time in prayer each day of Lent, thanking Christ for what He has done. In addition, many Christians practice some form of fasting during Lent.
What is "fasting?"
Fasting is a way to say "no" to self and to give renewed attention on Christ. If we simply do without food, we're only half-way there. We need to replace the time that we would have spent eating and instead spend that time in prayer.
Here are some ideas, but don't be limited to these:
Take 15 minutes out of each day reading the devotional on this blog and getting on your knees to pray to God.
Agree together in your Connection Group how you are going to celebrate Lent. Encourage each other to take a step of faith and talk each week about how it is going.
Take one meal a week and decide to deny yourself, spending the time, instead, reading the Word and praying. Maybe your Connection Group could divide up the lunches through the week - each taking a day. Or maybe you could each pick one day per week that you will all do it.
Fast from a specific food for the whole Lent season. Make it something that will trigger you to pray each time you reach for it. Don't "fast" from food to lose weight or from caffeine for your health. Those may be good ideas, but that is something you're doing for you, not with Christ in mind.
Fast from sunrise until sunset.
Fast from TV or something else that you'll give up and replace with seeking God.
Now get creative and talk with the other Christ-followers in your life for help, encouragement, and accountability ... and to share your joy!
Should I consider an extended fast?
For some, the season of Lent can be a time to surrender even more to God through an extended fast. This can be a 3, 7, 14, or 40 day experience (it is up to you and your readiness). If this is something that God is calling you toward, check out this site to learn more:
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are all types of extended fasts that you can get involved in. Make sure you choose the right one for you, considering your health, schedule, and support system.
we are free to be generous because in Christ we have been given all things. if your heart no longer registers the fear of death as a variable, life looks dramatically different.
ReplyDeleteGod, help me to no longer fear death. May I realize in Christ how free I am to live and to die because of Him.
So interesting that scripture previews Mary annointing our Lord in the chapter before it happens, ch.12. I wonder if this subject of death and triumph ring too loudly in the Pharisees ears. They conspire to kill the One who triumphs over death...wow. Are they fearful they will lose their status? Can't they see how God so wants life? So intimately aquainted with our grief He feels the depth of our pain and has empathy.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lord! Help me to never put forth my selfish ambition to conspire against You, the giver of life! Help me to have compassion as You do for others - tenderly knowing the pain, allowing the fragrant soothing promise of Your eternal love and life to call others to Your kingdom.