Key Thought

There is a resurrection day for all of us. For Christians, this is a day of joy, victory, celebration, glory, and revelation. It is a day to cherish and anticipate, not a day to fear. This is our day, when our faith in the Lord will be shown to be true. This is Jesus' day, when all peoples of the earth will bow their knees and proclaim that he is lord. This is the Father's day, because he will bring all of his earthly children home to himself. This is the Spirit's day, as he raises us back to life and brings us into the full glory that is ours as children of God. However, Jesus decides to give Martha, Mary, and us a glimpse of that day when he raises Lazarus! Ah, won't that resurrection day be sweet!

Today's Prayer

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Father, thank you for giving me something that I can look forward to no matter what is going on in my life. I pray for the repentance and salvation of several people who are close to me and confess to you that this is my only reluctance in asking for Jesus' swift return and bringing about the glorious reunion of resurrection day! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus arrived in Bethany. Jesus found that Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days. Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary. They came to comfort them about their brother {Lazarus}. Martha heard that Jesus was coming. She went out to greet Jesus. But Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask." Jesus said, "Your brother will rise and be alive again." Martha answered, "I know that he will rise to live again when people are resurrected (raised from death) on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection. I am life. The person that believes in me will have life {again} after he dies. And the person that lives and believes in me will never really die. Martha, do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the One that was coming to the world." After Martha said these things, she went back to her sister Mary. Martha talked to Mary alone. Martha said, "The Teacher (Jesus) is here. He is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she stood up and went quickly to Jesus. Jesus had not yet come into the village. He was still at the place where Martha met him. The Jews who had come were with Mary in the house. They were comforting her. They saw Mary stand and leave quickly. They thought that she was going to the tomb {of Lazarus}. They thought she was going there to cry. So they followed her. Mary went to the place where Jesus was. When she saw Jesus, she bowed at his feet. Mary said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus saw that Mary was crying. Jesus saw the Jews that came with her. They were crying too. Jesus felt very upset. He was deeply troubled. Jesus asked, "Where did you put him (Lazarus)?" They said, "Lord, come and see." Jesus cried. And the Jews said, "Look! Jesus loved Lazarus verymuch!" But some of these Jews said, "Jesus healed the eyes of the blind man. Why didn't Jesus help Lazarus and stop him from dying?"

— John 11:17-37 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.