Presence

We’re continuing with our devotional on Lazarus today. Let’s read the next part of the passage in John.

John 11:5-11, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’ ‘But Rabbi,’ they said, ‘a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.’ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.’”

After Jesus gets news of his friend Lazarus, he stays in Bethany a couple days before telling the disciples they’ll be going back to Judea. They weren’t too happy about it. See, the last time they were there, the people tried to kill Jesus. The disciples were worried about this and for their own lives. Maybe they were questioning why Jesus showed kindness to people who showed such hatred to him.

Jesus had a two-part answer when he speaks of the 12 hours of daylight. First, the obvious is walking during the light of the sun so you don’t stumble; a person walks confidently and without any evil intentions. A little play on words, not hiding anything in the darkness. Second, a person doesn’t stumble when they are in God’s will and bring glory to God. Going down the path of temptations, following what their heart wants, what their eyes and flesh desires – there is no LIGHT in him.

The disciples either understood or Jesus’ next statement took the dread off their minds. “…Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11b). (Asleep – Jesus referring to a believer’s death.) We get a glimpse of God’s plan unfolding here.

The Jews had not given Jesus a kind welcome. He escaped to and stayed in Bethany for a bit while an extraordinary plan of love was put into action. Jesus shows the disciples how to show love that overcomes fear, even over death, by going back to Judea.

Jesus never sends us into a dangerous “Judea” alone. He walks with us! And he will always protect us, his sheep, from the wolves. So there’s no need to fear when God’s direction seems unsafe. We are not alone nor are we unprotected. Let’s reflect on Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oi; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

It can be difficult to put aside our longings for an easy, wealthy, famous, or safe life. These things may be part of God’s plan for you. I don’t know. But they won’t be the purpose of your life, only a means to bring honor to him. Seeking the things of Christ, no matter what path it takes us on, will always bring us life – an eternal life.

What has this taught you about God’s character? Dig deeper to learn more about God and his character.

Continue to put to memory Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”