Matthew 17, 21
Mark 8-12, 14
Luke 9, 22
John 7-8, 11-12

I loved watching Reading Rainbow as a kid. Around 3:30pm, a guy named Lavar Burton would show up on TV for a quick 30 minute show. He would talk about the world around you and a special theme for the day. But the biggest focus of the show was on reading. There was always a story that revealed a truth to all the readers.

Open up your Bible to John 11:1-49. This story about Jesus and his friends reveals an important truth that makes Jesus’ sacrifice powerful for all people. While you read it, look for two characteristics of who Jesus is. Write them down before you continue on.

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In this story, Jesus receives some difficult news: his really good friend, Lazarus, has died. 

Mary and Martha are devastated. This was their brother; they loved Lazarus. But Jesus assures them that “this sickness will not end in death. It is for God’s glory so that His Son will be glorified through it.” Then something amazing happens, Jesus travels to Bethany to the tomb where Lazarus is buried. It’s here that scripture shows us who Jesus is in five short words:

In verse 35: “Jesus Wept.” (John 11:35) - What does this reveal? I heard it said by a friend that these words show Jesus’ heart and love for Lazarus, but they also show his humanity. Jesus is fully human. That means that he felt the pain of stubbing a toe or getting a splinter in his finger. He felt the friendship of the disciples as they hung out together and journeyed from town to town. And he felt the deep hurt from a friend who had died, and the the sorrow of those who loved him. Jesus felt everything.

“Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43) - These words also reveal something important about who Jesus is. Jesus is fully God! This is the second characteristic revealed in this passage. Only God can give life to something that does not have life. You might remember that it is God who breathes life into creation. The breath of life is prophesied about in Ezekiel as what will give life to dry, dead bones. And this life, breathed out in the commanding words of Jesus Christ, “Lazarus, come out.” give life to a dead man. Only God can give life.

Here is a deep question to think about: Why does it matter that Jesus was fully Human and fully God?

The answer to this question is revealed in the next chapter and video, when we read about Jesus death and what that means for us! But know this: Jesus’ humanity and divinity are very important.

Let me leave you with a picture from our story today:

Perhaps you’re here, in this moment, feeling without life right now. Clearly you’re not dead like Lazarus was, but maybe you feel spiritually or emotionally dead. Perhaps your life feels filled with darkness, like you’re living in a grave of sin or sadness. 

Jesus weeps for you. Jesus aches for your very being to have life and to be connected with Him. But even as he has feelings and pain like a human being, he has the power overcome that death and the moment you are in. 

His feelings about our separation because of death are real, but so is his passionate call and power to bring us out of that grave.