What Jesus Did! 'Wake Up Call' — John 11:7-15

Thursday, July 30, 2026

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Finally, [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea" [where Lazarus was very sick].

But his disciples objected. "Rabbi," they said, "only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?"

Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light." Then he said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up."

The disciples said, "Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!" They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

So he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."

— John 11:7-15 NLT

Key Thought

For those of us who die before Jesus returns, he will awaken each of us. But when we belong to him, death does not sever our relationship with the Lord, and he will return one day and summon us from our graves. His victory over death at his empty tomb and his triumph over death for Lazarus in the remainder of this story remind us that at its worst, death is just a restful sleep. Jesus will call us and bring us unto himself in glory and victory. We will hear his wakeup call and rise, for death does not keep us. We died with Christ in baptism so that sin and death no longer have a claim over us. We await the full realization of his resurrection in our lives but know it will come. We have a wakeup call!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for a hope that cannot be destroyed by death. Stir the urgency and passion in my heart to live victoriously because of that hope. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 11:7-15 NLT — "Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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