Nothing to Lose

In John 12:10, the apostle recalls that "the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also," when they saw that the crowd came to see Jesus and Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. Lazarus had nothing to lose; he was not afraid of the chief priests' plan to kill him because he had already seen death. When the enemy threatens us with all of the frightening things that he could do to us, and life threatens to take us to our lowest point, we must remember the great and might works that God has already done for us, and refer back to the unchanging faithfulness of God.

A Living Testimony

In John 12:9, the apostle recalls that "the large crowd of the Jews then learned that Lazarus was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead." Throughout the New Testament, the apostles recall the crowds who followed Jesus; some were seeking miracles and some were just curious, but they followed Jesus nearly every where He went. In John 12, however, the crowds were there to see Lazarus as well. Lazarus, though he said nothing at the table, was a living testimony of the miracles that Jesus was able to perform. When we live and tell our testimony of the great things that God has done for us, we become a living testimony of God' great love, mercy, and unending power.

Seated at the Master's Table

In John 12:1, the apostle recalls Jesus at Mary and Martha's home in Bethany. He writes "they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him." In Chapter 11, he recalls that Lazarus was sick, but Jesus declared that his sickness was "not unto death." Even though he died, Jesus raised him from the dead; now he is reclining at his table with Jesus. Regardless of what we go through, nothing, not even death, is able to remove us from our destiny, our seat at the Master's table, even if we have to go through a few detours, we will arrive at our promised destination.

A Miracle on the Way to the Sacrifice

In John 12:1, the apostle recalls that "Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead." In John 11:55, John recalls that many of the Jews went up to Jerusalem, out of the country, to purify themselves before the Passover; Jesus was also on his way to Jerusalem, but not just to celebrate the Passover, but to sacrifice himself as the ultimate Passover lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Worth More than the Birds

While the Spring rains are falling and pools of rain are gathering in so many places, every creature has plenty of water to drink. In Matthew 6:26-27, Jesus encouraged the disciples "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"Worrying never adds anything to our lives; if anything, it will detract time and peace from our lives. The birds and animals around us never worry; neither should we!

Don't Worry; God has you Covered

In each of our lives, we will have times that our faith is challenged. In Matthew 6: 25, Jesus encouraged the disciples not to worry. He said“do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" The current economy tells us that we should be concerned about our financial security; as believers, we should not worry about our provision.

Water Walker

In Matthew 14:28-30, the Apostle recalls Peter's walk on the water. The storm was already rocking the boat in the midst of the storm when Jesus shows up on the water, yet Peter is not focused on the waves; he is focused on his Lord. Peter said “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.' Jesus said 'Come,' then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Although Peter was the one who requested the Lord to call him out on the water, in faith, Jesus' response was for everyone. As believers, we have the ability to do all things through faith, even "walking on water," or those things that seem impossible. As Peter, all we need is to step out on faith.

Take Courage; Christ is on the Way

In Matthew 14: 25-27, the Apostle recalls Jesus walking out on the water in the midst of the storm. The Bible says "shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Many of the disciples were fishermen by trade; the legend of the lake was that ghosts of the fishermen killed in previous storms would haunt the lake in dangerous storms; Jesus declares his power in the midst of the storm as He walks out on the water. When the storm seems to be at its height, take courage; Christ is on the way!

Not Alone in the Storm

In Mattthew 14: 23-24, the Apostle recalls that "after he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." Jesus forced the disciples to get into the boat to travel to the other side of the sea, which was known for terrible, sudden storms. The disciples were separated from Christ, but they weren't alone. Even while Jesus was alone on the mountain, he was still with his beloved disciples in both prayer and spirit.