Tag: Lazarus

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Lent Day 40: “Lazarus, Come Out!”

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Each Sunday in Lent will focus on one of Jesus’ miraculous signs in the Gospel of John. 

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Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time. Before you read, meditate on John’s words about his Gospel:

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name – John 20:31.

READ

John 11:1-44

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) The raising of Lazarus is Jesus’ most public, powerful demonstration of his authority over life and death, given to him by the Father, and a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own resurrection. At the same time, Jesus’ human emotions are very close to the surface in this story. He cries, becomes angry, and is “deeply troubled” (vs. 33).

What are your own feelings about death? As you reflect on Jesus’ response to death as both God and man, how does this shape your understanding of Jesus? Of death and resurrection?

2) Throughout the story, Jesus is the only one who understands how it will end. Lazarus’ sisters and friends still have to go through a time of mourning before Jesus raises him from the dead. During that time of mourning, Mary and Martha both have an opportunity to reject Jesus; instead, Martha declares her belief in Jesus and Mary runs and weeps at his feet.

Are there any people or things you are mourning right now? Any ways you are waiting for Jesus to act, to bring healing and new life? What would you like to say to Jesus?

OBEY

Before Jesus tells Lazarus to “Come out!”, he says, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me” (vs. 41-2). On Palm Sunday, consider finding a way to celebrate “out loud” (either by words or actions) Jesus as King and the ways he has brought resurrection to your life.

You are also invited to hear a sermon on this passage. It will be streamed on the Vineyard One NYC Facebook page beginning at 10:30 am Eastern Standard Time. (Previous sermon audio files are available at vineyardone.nyc.)

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 24: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – Three Ways of Loving Jesus

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Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 11:45-John 12:11

REFLECT AND PRAY

At the dinner at Bethany, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus all show different ways of loving and being with Jesus. Lazarus is there as Jesus’ companion, sharing in the meal and conversation. Martha serves the food. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her own hair.

1) Who do you most identify with, Mary, Martha, or Lazarus? Why?

2) What is your unique way of loving and being with Jesus? Are there any specific ways you wish you could deepen your relationship with him?

OBEY

Consider stepping out of your comfort zone this week. If you’re a “Martha” who typically serves by taking care of the practical details, try a “Mary” activity like simply sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39) or showing him your adoration through a bodily expression like kneeling in prayer or through dance, gesture, or song. Or, if you’re comfortable with Mary’s contemplative way of being with Jesus, but you have trouble thinking of Jesus as a friend, imagine yourself sharing conversation and a meal with him, as Lazarus did. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, practice relating to Jesus in a new way.

 

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 23: “Mourning to Dancing”

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PREPARE

Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 11:1-44

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb but he also experiences deep anger (v. 33, 38). Based on the passage, why do you think he feels such anger? Who or what is his anger directed at? How do the emotions Jesus shows here fit with  – or challenge – your image of who Jesus is?

2) What are some things about this world now that make you angry or sorrowful? How does Jesus feel about those things? How does he feel about your anger and sorrow?

OBEY

 

Now that you have identified something that is troubling you about the world today – something that is not as Jesus intended it to be – how are you called to change it? Ask Jesus to show you one thing you can to do help make things right in the world, to help turn someone’s mourning to dancing, sorrow to joy (Psalm 30:11-12).

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).