4th January
Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Jean 11, 25 & 26
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19, 7
Obeying the Prince of life
(Read John 11, 39 - 44)
Jesus approaches the tomb and orders to take away the stone which is laid across the entrance. In fact, the hopeless state of the dead man must duly be showed to the several assistants.
Now there is a confrontation between death and him who calls himself the resurrection and the life. Death has imprescriptible rights on the sinful man. The tension is big! Who will win? Jesus lifts his eyes up to heaven, speaks to his Father and orders death: "Lazarus, come out!" In a simple way Lazarus approaches the assistants who have no breath left. Jesus has to say to his disciples who are paralysed by consternation: "Let him go."
This is a public and an undeniable manifestation of God's glory. Jesus had announced it to Martha, Lazarus sister. The power and the love of Jesus are brought to the fore. Several assistants of the scene believe in him (v 45), but from now on the chief priests and the Pharisees decide to kill Jesus.
Man is like this in front of God: he denies all the statutes of the Lord. However, he has to accept some facts: death and judgement which will follow. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8, 1)