Read John 11:36-45. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
Digging Deeper
As followers of Christ, we should say that we live for the glory of God. We seek to glorify God, but what does that really mean to us? Practically, how is God glorified in our lives and can our family, friends, and coworkers see the glory of God? It is almost like showing that God exists.
Jesus makes a startling comment to His disciples in verse 15. He says, “…and for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” To Martha in verse 40, He says, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Finally in Jesus’ prayer in verse 42, He says, “…that they may believe that You sent me.”
The miracles of God are to direct people to God. They are a testimony of our lives that God is real and present then and now. It’s not about what God can or can’t do. It is to demonstrate that He is ever present with us. It is about people seeing and coming to belief in our God.
When God answers your prayers and my prayers, we know that God is there and that He hears us and loves us. To those around us whether believers or non-believers, our words testify that God is truly with us. Whenever you share your testimony of salvation or an answer prayered, those who hear your words have to consider the possibility that God’s existence and goodness.
Don’t be ashamed to share with others how God has answered your prayers. Those who hear it will have to consider its implications. They just might have a glimpse of the glory of God through your life and mine. Let’s not be afraid to share what God has done for us. Don’t forget. It is not about us. It is about our God.
-Kingston