The Living God

It was a distressing and somber day in the small village of Bethany as Jesus stood with a broken-hearted family at the grave of Lazarus. Jesus wept with the mourners because they were his friends who were suffering and he was moved with deep compassion and love. He also wept over sin, which leads to death. Jesus made the astonishing statement, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And wherever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Martha’s response to Jesus was, “Yes, Lord.” When the Lord asks if we believe, he hopes to hear the same response from us as from Martha: “Yes!” Believing in Jesus allows life to transcend death because death cannot hold its grip on us when we know eternal life awaits. Raising Lazarus from the grave was a remarkable demonstration of Christ’s miracle-working power, and on that day, he showed everyone the power of eternal life triumphing over death.

Everything stems from Jesus as Elohim Chayim, the living God. He is the source of our lives, and every cell, plant, animal, and human being receives life from the living God. Jesus is actively engaged in every moment of our lives, even in the midst of delays, disappointments, and grief. As he called Lazarus by name, he calls each of us by name, and when we believe in him as our living God, our eternal life begins. Are you following the living God today?

Do you allow him to walk beside you and guide you? As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ during this Easter season, let us be mindful of what C.S. Lewis once stated, “We follow One who stood and wept at the grave of Lazarus-not surely, because He was grieved that Mary and Martha wept and sorrowed for their lack of faith but because death, the punishment of sin, is even more horrible in his eyes that ours.” (God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics.)

Dear Father, we need you as our living God. Thank you for making the sacrificial choice to die on the cross for my sins so that I can be forgiven. Help me acknowledge your presence at all times and know you are working on all things for your glory. Thank you for giving me more faith to face uncertainties. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Throughout this day: Read the whole of John chapter 11, and imagine yourself into the story. Ask God to show you what he wants you to learn from the perspectives of Mary, Martha, the disciples, or even Lazarus himself.