This chapter contains the death and resurrection of Lazarus, as well as another plot to arrest / kill Jesus (it’s a running theme).
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill… he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ ” (v5-8, 14-16 abr)
What struck me more than the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection, was the attitude and faith of Jesus’ disciples. By returning to Judea with Jesus, they were confident they would be executed. Yet, Thomas essentially proclaims “If our Rabbi is going to His death, we will go with Him, for we are fully-committed followers of Jesus”.
Are we fully-committed followers of Jesus? Will we honor, serve, obey, and follow Him until our dying breath? I know it’s easy to ‘talk the talk’, but we also need to ‘walk the talk’, especially when the road ahead is difficult or unknowable. I encourage us to rely upon the Holy Spirit, our deepening relationships with Jesus, and God’s promises, to carry us along those seemingly impossible roads, until we meet Him face to face.
Father God, our Sovereign Savior and Compassionate Creator, the entire universe is in your hands, which includes each individual person. Please lead us through Your Spirit, teaching us Your ways and Your will, so we may passionately honor You with every waking breath. May we consistently and constantly follow Jesus, all of our remaining days, especially when our path is unknowable or difficult. We call upon Your name O Lord to forgive our sin, deliver us from temptation, and keep us on the straight road of righteousness. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training