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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2022
February 1, 2022
John 11:13, 14 – Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Thought: When Jesus had told His disciples that Lazarus was sleeping, they thought he was physically resting. Jesus, however, had reference to death and not “taking rest in sleep.” When He knew they failed to understand, He told them plainly: “Lazarus is dead.” Sorrow must have seized upon their hearts. Perhaps they began at that moment wondering why Jesus had tarried so long. Another thought that crossed this writer’s mind was: “Would they doubt this statement of the Lord?”
Acts 7:59-60
February 2, 2022
John 11:15 – Now I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Thought: Events often have multiple lenses through which they can be viewed. As Jesus viewed the death of Lazarus, He told His disciples: “Now I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.” Lazarus’ death would have saddened the disciples. Why would Jesus be glad He was not there? Had He been there, He could have helped Lazarus. Jesus knew there is more to this death than just death. What is soon to come will strengthen the faith of the twelve. Thus, Jesus commanded: “…let us go unto him.”
John 11:45
February 3, 2022
John 11:16 – Then saith Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Thought: Thomas knew Jesus was serious about returning to Judea. He also knew the threats of the Jews against Jesus’ life were serious. If they accompanied Him, they, too could die. Some of the twelve may have been somewhat fearful in going with the Christ. Thomas, therefore, exhorted his brethren, saying: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Thomas did not appear to be afraid of death. He would not forsake His Lord even when times were perilous. What about you, dear reader?
Acts 20:22-24
February 4, 2022
John 11:17 – Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
Thought: Why does the Bible specifically tell us that Lazarus “had lain in the grave four days already”? One has said that it was because of a popular Jewish belief at the time. When a person died, the Jews believed the spirit hoovered over the body for three days. After three days, the spirit departed and there was no hope of the dead recovering. By telling his readers Lazarus was in the grave for four days, John assured them that Lazarus was dead. Only a miracle could bring Lazarus back.
John 11:39
February 5, 2022
John 11:18 – Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.
Thought: The writers of Scripture often provide small details to their accounts. Bethany was the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. It was “nigh unto Jerusalem.” Fifteen furlongs was the distance of two miles. This type of information makes the story interesting. It authenticates the truthfulness of this event. Too, we are reminded of how close Jesus is to Jerusalem, the city filled with religious leaders who despised Him. Within thirty to forty-five minutes, they could be informed of Jesus’ arrival.
Luke 24:13
February 6, 2022
John 11:19 – And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Thought: When death strikes a family, there are usually others who surround the family to comfort and support the family members. This was true at the death of Lazarus. The text says “many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them.” This is something the church ought to do well. The church is a family. When one of their members loses someone to death, the church family should rally to their side. The one who experiences the loss should know he/she is loved and supported.
I Corinthians 12:25-26
February 7, 2022
John 11:20, 21 – Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha under Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Thought: Keep in mind that Jesus was a close friend to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Martha appears to have been the dominant of the three. When Jesus drew near the home, Martha confronted Jesus. She said: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” She knew of Jesus’ ability to heal. She seems to express her disappointment that Jesus had not arrived sooner. Martha had faith, but not enough. Martha had knowledge, but not enough. Jesus was there. That should have been enough.
Luke 8:49-50
February 8, 2022
John 11:22 – But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Thought: Martha tried to manifest her faith in her Lord. She affirmed that whatever He asked of God, she knew God would give it to Him. We wonder what she really meant by those words. Did she believe that Jesus could raise her brother from the dead? Or, was she referring to something else? Every disciple wants to believe that his faith is firm and steadfast. If asked, he will affirm that his faith is strong. Sometimes, however, our words are a front. Our heart may not be as strong as our words.
Mark 9:23-24
February 9, 2022
John 11:23, 24 – Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Thought: It is due to this response from Martha that we question the depth of her previous remark to Jesus. She had told Jesus she believed that whatever He asked of God, God would give it to Him. However, when she was told that he would rise again, her only thought was the general resurrection of all the dead in the last day. She did not think about his being raised that very day. Again, we like to think that our faith is strong, but sometimes we have a tendency to limit God’s power in our lives.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
February 10, 2022
John 11:25 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Thought: Jesus expresses a profound truth to Martha. He asserts that he is “the resurrection and the life.” In other words, Jesus has power over both life and death. He began this affirmation with the words: “I am.” The word “am” is a present tense verb. At that very moment, Jesus was the resurrection and the life. He was informing His dear friend that at that very moment He had the power to raise Lazarus. In the second part of His statement, Jesus makes a spiritual application.
I Corinthians 15:20-23
February 11, 2022
John 11:26 – And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Thought: Jesus just told Martha: “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” He adds to that thought here. “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Jesus promises two kinds of life to those who believe. First, there is spiritual life, that is, a life free from sin and trespasses. Second, there is eternal life. Those who believe, Jesus says, “shall never die.” No other religious leader can make such promises. Jesus can because He is the resurrection and the life.
Ephesians 2:1-5
February 12, 2022
John 11:27 – She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Thought: The things Jesus spoke to Martha are almost incomprehensible to man. Can dead men really live again? Can men be raised from the dead never to die again? Can men really live forever? Those are challenging concepts. It is interesting that Martha did not say that she believed Jesus’ teachings. She did, however, confess her belief in the person of Jesus Christ. There are times we may not fully grasp the depth and significance of Jesus’ teaching. Thus, we trust Him as “the Christ, the Son of God.”
Matthew 16:15-18
February 13, 2022
John 11:28, 29 – And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
Thought: For some reason, Mary had stayed behind when Jesus first drew near unto the house. After Martha’s conversation, she went to Mary and said: “The Master is come, and calleth for thee.” Jesus loved both Martha and Mary. Even if Martha did not fully understand Jesus’ message, He sought to comfort her with His words. He also longed to comfort Mary. Her heart was grieving for her brother. Thus, Jesus called for her. “As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.”
II Corinthians 1:3-4
February 14, 2022
John 11:30 – Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
Thought: When a loved one has passed, it is often difficult to speak with the loved ones individually for the first few days because of the number of people who come to comfort them. In order to speak to them, one must get them away from the crowds. Perhaps Jesus tarried outside of the city because He knew it was the best place to speak to Mary in private. They would be able to speak openly and freely to one another. There would be no interruptions. Private moments like this can be very important.
II Thessalonians 2:16-17
February 15, 2022
John 11:31 – The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
Thought: There are always people watching us. They watch our body language, our emotions, our words, and our actions. When Mary left her house, the Jews were watching. In fact, they followed her. They assumed she was going to Lazarus’ grave. Did they follow out of concern? Or, out of curiosity? If they followed her to her destination, they were in for surprise. They would see her come to Jesus. This place was better than the tomb of Lazarus. She was in the presence of the resurrection and the life.
I Corinthians 15:21-22
February 16, 2022
John 11:32 – Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Thought: When Mary came to Jesus, she displayed great respect for her Master. “She fell down at his feet.” She also manifested the same faith that Martha had. She told Jesus: “If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” But she, like Martha, still had things to learn. The faith of both needed to be deepened. Soon this would transpire. Are we much like the sisters of Lazarus? We know the Lord can do certain things, but do we truly understand He can do all things? Death was not obstacle for Him.
Luke 5:8-9
February 17, 2022
John 11:33 – When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
Thought: Mary did not carry on an emotionless conversation with Jesus. She was weeping. Those who followed her were also crying. This caused a reaction from the Christ. “He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” At first, one might believe that Jesus hurt for these individuals. The word “groaned,” however, means “to snort with anger” or “have indignation.” The word “troubled” means to be agitated. What cause this reaction? Death? Unbelief? Or, possibly, a combination of both?
Mark 9:19
February 18, 2022
John 11:34 – And said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, come and see.
Thought: When a person passes away, it is customary to visit the gravesite or the tomb. This is as far as the living can go with the dead. Jesus’ question, therefore, did not surprise this group of people. Thus, they invited Jesus, saying: “Come and see.” That walk would have been interesting to witness. There was weeping. There was silence. But, was there any expectation of resurrection? Did anyone in that group believe that Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead? That kind of faith was not present.
John 6:5-6
February 19, 2022
John 11:35, 36 – Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Thought: Jesus was a human being. He experienced what all humans experience. At this hour, “Jesus wept.” This is the shortest verse of the Bible, but it packs a powerful message. When the Jews saw Jesus’ tears, they assumed He was crying because of how much he loved Lazarus. But, was this the cause of Jesus’ sorrow? Jesus knew He was about to cause Lazarus to live again. Could it have been that thought that produced the tears? Bringing one back to a world of woe would be painful to do.
Luke 19:41
February 20, 2022
John 11:37 – And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Thought: This verse gives us some insight into the tears of Jesus. The resurrection and the life was in the presence of these individuals. Yet, they could not comprehend what He could do. They could only think about what He could have done if He had been present before Lazarus had died. They knew of His ability to open the eyes of the blind. Causing the dead to stand again, however, was a different matter. This did not seem to cross their minds. Their lack of faith limited God. Does ours?
Psalm 78:19-20
February 21, 2022
John 11:38 – Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Thought: Upon hearing the words of some of the Jews, Jesus again groaned in himself. This is the same word that is found in verse 33. The word indicates “indignation.” It appears that He was upset because those who were at the grave of Lazarus failed to comprehend who He really was and failed to acknowledge the power that He really had. Having seen everything that Jesus had done, they should have known Jesus could raise Lazarus. How often does Jesus groan over our lack of faith?
Mark 8:12
February 22, 2022
John 11:39 – Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Thought: When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, he immediately gave the instruction to “take ye away the stone.” Did Jesus want to see his friend’s body one last time? Did He need to see Lazarus to have closure on this death? Whatever His reason, Martha did not think this was wise. Lazarus had been dead four days. His body, therefore, had already begun to decay. When the tomb was opened, the stench of death would fill the air. Had she already forgotten Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
Acts 13:36
February 23, 2022
John 11:40 – Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Thought: Martha’s response indicated that she had either forgotten or did not fully believe Jesus’ words. Thus, Jesus said: “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Sometimes it is good to be reminded of Jesus’ teachings. They are not intended simply to be heard. They are intended to be internalized within our mind, our emotions, and our behavior. Martha needed to understand her brother’s death would serve a purpose, to bring glory to God.
II Peter 1:12-15
February 24, 2022
John 11:41 – Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me.
Thought: The order of Jesus to remove the stone that sealed the tomb of Lazarus was obeyed. Can you imagine the wonder and the confusion that filled the minds of those who stood by. Then, they heard Jesus pray. He began with these words: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.” Jesus was a man of prayer. He realized His dependence on His Father in heaven. He believed that His prayers would be heard. He knew prayer was beneficial to His life. We need to follow Jesus in prayer.
Psalm 123:1-2
February 25, 2022
John 11:42 – And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me.
Thought: Jesus could have prayed silently before performing this miracle. He knew He would have been heard. However, He prayed openly “because of the people which stand by.” He wanted them to know that God was working through Him and to believe that God had sent Him into the world. Jesus’ actions were always carefully weighed and chosen. They served a purpose. His desire was to fulfill His mission. His desire was to bring glory to His heavenly Father. All of us need to work to this end.
John 15:8
February 26, 2022
John 11:43 – And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Thought: Jesus intended for Lazarus to hear Him. He was calling him forth from the hadean realm. Too, Jesus intended for the entirety of the crowd to hear Him. He wanted them to know that He could raise the dead by merely speaking simple words such as: “Lazarus, come forth.” One has said that Jesus called the name of Lazarus in order to keep the entire cemetery from rising from the dead. Jesus is a powerful being. He is the ruler of the hadean realm. He is the resurrection and the life.
Luke 7:14-15
February 27, 2022
John 11:44 – And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Thought: The spoken word of Jesus brought the spirit of Lazarus out of the hadean world to be united with his body. In a matter of seconds Lazarus walked out the tomb as a living human being. He was still bound with his graveclothes. In fact, the people gathered there were so amazed that they had to be commanded to “loose him, and let him go.” The resurrection and the life conquered death on this occasion. It was a miracle greater than healing the sick. Jesus truly glorified His heavenly Father.
Revelation 1:18
February 28, 2022
John 1:45 - Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Thought: The purpose of this miracle was to cause those who saw it to believe. Some of them that were there did believe on Jesus. We wonder: “How could they not believe?” They knew Lazarus was dead. They knew that he had been in the grave four days. Jesus had not been present until that very hour. Now, the dead is alive. Now Lazarus is back with them. To reject this miracle would involve dishonesty and skepticism of the highest order. This miracle continues to cause many to believe today.
John 20:30-31
Read devotionals for March 2022