Thoughts on the Gospel of John (100) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that you sent me. Now when he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let him go.
John 11:41-44.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (100)
The stone sealing the tomb in which Lazarus lay was to be rolled away. Was that really necessary? The Lord could have performed the miracle as things were, but they would all only be convinced that Lazarus had truly been dead by the grave clothes and the smell.

Giving life and resurrecting from the dead is a matter for God alone. But God often uses people to remove hindrances. So they took away the stone and shortly after freed Lazarus from his grave clothes. From this we learn that we need not wait for a miracle, when God gives us the strength to fulfil deeds that must be done.

Before the Lord raised His friend up, He prayed publicly to His heavenly Father. He did so especially for the multitude that had followed Him and the two sisters to the grave. He did not wish to use His power to resurrect the dead to stand in the foreground. The spectators were to realise that He, the One sent by the Father, did all in obedience to Him.

Three powerful words sufficed to raise Lazarus from the dead. This was proof enough that the Man Jesus Christ is "the Son of God with power" (Romans 1:4).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Joshua 7:1-15 · 1 Corinthians 5:1-13