City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

¹⁴ Then Jesus made it plain to them, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And for your sake, I’m glad I wasn’t there, because now you have another opportunity to see who I am so that you will learn to trust in me. Come, let’s go and see him.”

–John 11:14-15 TPT

⁴⁴ Then in front of everyone, Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, slowly hobbled out—he still had grave clothes tightly wrapped around his hands and feet and covering his face! Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” 

⁴⁵ From that day forward many of those  who had come to visit Mary believed in him, for they had seen with their own eyes this amazing miracle! ⁴⁶ But a few went back to inform the Pharisees about what Jesus had done.

⁴⁷ So the Pharisees and the chief priests called a special meeting of the High Council  and said, “So what are we going to do about this man? Look at all the great miracles he’s performing! ⁴⁸ If we allow him to continue like this, everyone will believe in him. And the Romans will take action and destroy both our country and our people!” 

⁴⁹ Now Caiaphas, the high priest that year, spoke up and said, “You don’t understand a thing! ⁵⁰ Don’t you realize we’d be much better off if this one man were to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish?”

⁵¹ (This prophecy that Jesus was destined to die  for the Jewish people didn’t come from Caiaphas himself, but he was moved by God to prophesy as the chief priest. ⁵² And Jesus’ death would not be for the Jewish people only, but to gather together God’s children scattered around the world and unite them as one.)

–John 11:44-52 TPT

Aisha’s Analysis

Today I’d like to highlight the aftereffects of Jesus’ miraculous work of raising Lazarus from the dead. This particular miracle marked a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. It caused many of the Jews who were there to believe in Jesus. 

This amazing result gives us some insight into why Jesus may have delayed in coming to heal Lazarus. Jesus intentionally waited until after Lazarus was undeniably dead, so the Lord’s name could be glorified by this amazing miracle. In waiting until God directed Him to go, Jesus not only saved Lazarus, but many others came to faith in Him as a result. Delays are no fun when you’re experiencing them, but God thinks so much bigger than us…and usually it’s not just about only one person. 

Our individual lives touch so many others. Think of how many people came to mourn for Lazarus and pay their respects. Can you imagine their sheer wonder and amazement seeing him come back to life?! What a beautiful picture of the resurrection and life that is available to us in Christ. 

While some of the Jews who went to visit Mary did come to faith in Jesus, others went to report Jesus to the Pharisees. The theme of “one life making an impact on many” is continued in this sense as well. 

The Pharisees were afraid the notoriety and influence of Jesus would cause further oppression from the Romans. Instead of finding refuge in Jesus, the Pharisees turned against Him. The High Priest prophetically spoke about Jesus: “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” (v. 49-50).

A great cross reference to this idea of how just one person can make a far reaching impact is found in John 12: 

“Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died.”

–John 12:24 TPT

Application

Jesus displayed that even in death we can bring glory to God and produce a harvest. What do you need to “die” to today? If you find you are turning to something other than Jesus to give you life, you might need to “die” to it. Does that mean you give it up entirely? Maybe. Or it could mean that you put it in its proper place. 

For example, your spouse, your kids, your job, your relationships may all be great in and of themselves, but they’re not worthy to be your god. Only God can fill that role. 

Pray to the Lord and ask Him to reveal anything in your life that you’re giving more weight to than you should. Then, ask Him what He would like you to do regarding that item, whatever it may be. Finally, be willing to surrender to Him. Obedience is the one way we can express our love to God. Let that action be a symbol of your love and commitment to Jesus. Trust Him to fulfill you in every way. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for sending Your one and only Son to die for all my sin. I receive His sacrifice and finished work. Because of one Person’s quality decision to obey You, I can be in right relationship and right standing with You, Almighty God. Today, I make a quality decision to trust and obey You with all that I am. Thank You for giving me new life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.