Devotional for the Week 13 Sep 2004

This Week's Devotional | 2004 Devotionals | 2005 Devotionals

Devotional For the Week 13 September 2004

The Raising of Lazarus
Reference: John 11:1-44

Fear of Death
Are you afraid of dying? In our devotional passage today, Jesus' disciples also fear death for their leader and for themselves. When they hear that Jesus wants to travel back to Judea to visit Lazarus and his family in Bethany, they cry out to him, "Don't go back Lord! Are you crazy? Those people tried to stone you a while ago. You'll ..... die!"

Why is death so fearful? It is because when we approach death, we step off from this familiar plane of existence unto the next - the afterworld - an existence that we are unfamiliar with. Everything and everyone we know of this world we leave behind and step into the unknown. And that makes it scary.

But Jesus' reply in verse 9, speaks of how He is the daylight that shines upon their lives and paths, even right now. With Christ by our side, while we may cross death into the afterworld, unfamiliar though it may be, He is there to give us courage and welcome us with open arms. There is no need to be afraid of death.

Fear of the Immediate
We also read that Martha, upon hearing that Jesus is in town, runs up to Him. Her first words are, "Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." The blindness of the disciples in the earlier situation affects Mary and Martha as well. They have seen Jesus perform great miracles, healing the sick but that is all they see Him as - A Healer, a Problem Solver, a Miracle Maker and nothing more.

Aren't we the same? In our prayers, we pray "Lord heal me!" "Lord change my boss!" "Lord get me promoted please!" "Lord help my kids pass their exams!"

It is not wrong to present our requests to God, but it is wrong if we stop there - treating Him as no more than a miracle maker, a answerer to our troubles. But Jesus doesn't want us to see Him like that. He wants us to see beyond the immediate. Even though Lazarus was NOW dead, He could still raise him. Even though our bodies may grow sick and we die, He can still raise us. Even though our kids fail their exams, He can still make their lives successful.

God is MORE than a Healer, Miracle Maker or Problem Solver. He IS God, in control of everything, no situation is beyond Him. He shows us He is not only a Healer but the Giver of Life, when He resurrects Lazarus. He is also a God who cares, a God who weeps for His beloved. He weeps when he visits Lazarus' tomb in Bethany. He weeps when He sees us suffer and go through death.

Reflection
Give up your fear of death to God. He walks with you and there is no need to fear when He is ready to welcome you and show you Heaven's sights and take you around.

Look beyond the immediate today. God is after all MORE than a Problem Solver. He is Lord over everything. And no matter how forgone a conclusion it seems, know that He is still in charge. Surrender and know that He is in control.

Perhaps we need to die to our sinful selves, so that God may resurrect us into the person He wants us to be. Hear His voice calling you. Come out Lazarus. Come out Jane. Come out Julia. Come out Robert.

- Pastor Joel Yong

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals Devotional For the Week 13 September 2004 The Raising of Lazarus Reference: John 11:1-44 Fear of Death Are you afraid of dying? In our devotional passage today, Jesus' disciples also fear death for their leader and for themselves. When they hear that Jesus wants to travel back to Judea to visit Lazarus and his family in Bethany, they cry out to him, "Don't go back Lord! Are you crazy? Those people tried to stone you a while ago. You'll ..... die!" Why is death so fearful? It is because when we approach death, we step off from this familiar plane of existence unto the next - the afterworld - an existence that we are unfamiliar with. Everything and everyone we know of this world we leave behind and step into the unknown. And that makes it scary. But Jesus' reply in verse 9, speaks of how He is the daylight that shines upon their lives and paths, even right now. With Christ by our side, while we may cross death into the afterworld, unfamiliar though it may be, He is there to give us courage and welcome us with open arms. There is no need to be afraid of death. Fear of the Immediate We also read that Martha, upon hearing that Jesus is in town, runs up to Him. Her first words are, "Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." The blindness of the disciples in the earlier situation affects Mary and Martha as well. They have seen Jesus perform great miracles, healing the sick but that is all they see Him as - A Healer, a Problem Solver, a Miracle Maker and nothing more. Aren't we the same? In our prayers, we pray "Lord heal me!" "Lord change my boss!" "Lord get me promoted please!" "Lord help my kids pass their exams!" It is not wrong to present our requests to God, but it is wrong if we stop there - treating Him as no more than a miracle maker, a answerer to our troubles. But Jesus doesn't want us to see Him like that. He wants us to see beyond the immediate. Even though Lazarus was NOW dead, He could still raise him. Even though our bodies may grow sick and we die, He can still raise us. Even though our kids fail their exams, He can still make their lives successful. God is MORE than a Healer, Miracle Maker or Problem Solver. He IS God, in control of everything, no situation is beyond Him. He shows us He is not only a Healer but the Giver of Life, when He resurrects Lazarus. He is also a God who cares, a God who weeps for His beloved. He weeps when he visits Lazarus' tomb in Bethany. He weeps when He sees us suffer and go through death. Reflection Give up your fear of death to God. He walks with you and there is no need to fear when He is ready to welcome you and show you Heaven's sights and take you around. Look beyond the immediate today. God is after all MORE than a Problem Solver. He is Lord over everything. And no matter how forgone a conclusion it seems, know that He is still in charge. Surrender and know that He is in control. Perhaps we need to die to our sinful selves, so that God may resurrect us into the person He wants us to be. Hear His voice calling you. Come out Lazarus. Come out Jane. Come out Julia. Come out Robert. - Pastor Joel Yong
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