The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 3 May 2020 – TOPIC: JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH

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DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020
(Easter 3)
TOPIC: JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH
READ: JOHN 11:17-27 (NKJV)

17. So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
18. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.
19. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.
21. Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22. “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
23. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24. Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26. “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27. She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

THE MESSAGE:

Lazarus, Jesus’ friend (John 11:3), had just died. Jesus had to go to Bethany to restore the life. Martha and Mary knew Jesus, but perhaps only as a great healer from God; one whose prayers God answers (verse 22). Martha had faith (verses 21, 22 & 24) but a ‘shallow one’ (verse 39). She believed Lazarus would live again but at the resurrection of the righteous (verse 39). The two sisters though believers, had imperfect knowledge of Christ’s capabilities (verses 21 & 32). They did not know that distance was no hindrance to Christ’s ability. Also, apparently they did not understand Christ’s assertion: “I am the Resurrection and the Life (verse 25). These were vacuums in their Christianity.

To what extent do you know Christ? Jesus has authority over life and death, He is God personified (Colossians 2:7). As He loved Lazarus, so He loves us. He restores life, not only to Lazarus but to anything dead, including our businesses. To spiritually dead persons, He gives life and the backslidden He restores. Where there is sorrow, He brings joy. But we must know Him closely. He has power to do all things (Matthew 28:18). Like Paul, let us strive to know Him and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:8).

PRAYER: Ask God to give you the grace to know Him beyond the ordinary.