ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET; TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2023.
TEXT: JOHN 11: 17 - 27.
SPIRITUAL FOCUS: JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.
In yesterday's study we heard Jesus say that the death of Lazarus came as a confirmation of His miracles (vs. 15) concerning the coming resurrection. When Jesus entered Bethany, He found Lazarus have been dead four days, and has begun to smell (vs. 39).
People there confirmed the death including the funeral. They have no plans to meet again in this world. Even in this case, Martha was skeptical when she said. "If you had been here my brother would not have died" (vs. 21). But she believed the Lord God though Jesus might raise him up from the dead.
Whatever you ask for, God will grant it to you "(verse 22). Her faith moved Jesus to encourage her. "Your brother will rise again " (vs. 23). Jesus told her what would happen in the near future, but she did not understand. She said.
"I know He will rise in the resurrection on the last day" (vs. 24), as she may have heard from Jesus (John 6: 39, 40). Then Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life" (vs. 25). These are the facts, but they are certain in Christ Jesus.
That is so if the followers of Christ believe in eternal life and resurrection. True followers, even if they die, will live with Him in His Kingdom.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Eternal life found only through Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord God, I beseech You, help me to strengthen my faith in the resurrection for the sake of Christ Jesus, Amen.
JOHN 11: 17 - 27 (AMP).
17 So when Jesus arrived, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away,
19 And a considerable number of the Jews had gone out to see Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, while Mary remained sitting in the house.
21 Martha then said to Jesus, Master, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 And even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to You.
23 Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again.
24 Martha replied, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live;
26 And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?
27 She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I have believed [I do believe] that You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of God, [even He] Who was to come into the world. [It is for Your coming that the world has waited.]
