Daily Reading
Daily Reflection
At first glance, it would seem that poor Lazarus just couldn't catch a break if his life depended upon it. Earlier in the gospel of John, Lazarus' story begins with him sick at the point of death. His sisters, Martha and Mary, send for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus does not arrive in time and Lazarus dies. It is a devastating end for all. When Jesus does arrive Lazarus has been dead for four days. However, he is moved by compassion and raises Lazarus from the dead. In our text today, we find Lazarus and his sisters, honoring Jesus with a dinner. Little did Lazarus know the chief priests were plotting to kill him. His life was now a testimony and many were beginning to believe in Jesus. How tragic. Lazarus was alive, dead, brought back to life, then only to be put to death again. Or was it?
Do you define your life by the death of dreams, relationships, jobs, failures, or success? In reality, the gospel defines these as false endings. Lazarus' story was not only a testimony, it was a pivotal moment that had a ripple effect on countless within the greater story. Our stories are the same. They are testimonies as well as pivotal, as we do not to know and see the bigger picture yet. What we do know, because of Easter, is that Jesus is the true and final ending and it is in this that we find hope. As Jesus entered into Lazarus' life, he desires to enter into ours and redefine our "endings" so to speak. Will you allow Jesus to enter into your circumstances this Lenten season?
Daily Worship Resources
Morning Readings: Psalm 31:9-16 > | Lamentations 3:55-66 >
Evening Readings: Mark 10:32-34 >
Other Resources
Read Introduction to the Lent Tradition >
Download pdf of entire Lent devotion >