THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
“…Lazarus, come forth!”
(John 11:43)
Hi Men:
There’s been a lot on my mind lately. God keeps showing me things I would’ve missed without this broken foot. Between the crutches and rolling around in a wheelchair, my struggles are minor compared to others—but they’ve opened my eyes.
When you can’t drive or tackle garage and backyard projects, you’re forced to slow down—and if you can keep the TV off and the phone at a distance, it creates space to reflect on what truly matters.
I’m especially grateful for my wife, Jane. Her servant’s heart has been on full display—doing everything I normally would, from pouring 40 lb salt bags into the water softener to filling the outside bird feeder.
My life is in Christ…. My Father is so good….. and the Holy Spirit is priceless!
REFLECTING ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS
One of the Bible studies I’m part of is now moving into John 11. I know this is a morbid thought, but I flashed on what stage of decomposition a body would be in after Day 4 during the time of Jesus in Bethany. Unlike the Egyptians, the Jews did no embalming. The body was wrapped, placed in a sealed tomb, and left to decay.
What Would Happen to a Body After Four Days in a Judean Tomb?
- Within Hours:
Blood stops flowing, oxygen vanishes, and cells begin breaking down. Enzymes start digesting tissues from the inside out. - 12–24 Hours:
Rigor mortis stiffens the body. Blood settles, forming dark patches, and discoloration begins. - 24–72 Hours:
Bacteria in the gut produce gas, causing bloating—especially in the abdomen. A strong, unmistakable stench sets in. - By Day 3:
Skin may blister and peel. Gas pressure can push the eyes and tongue outward. Organs begin to liquefy. - Day 4:
The body is visibly decaying. Martha was right to say, “Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (John 11:39 KJV). The odor is overwhelming, and insect activity may begin.
Why on earth did I share this? My first thought was when Jesus called his friend from the grave, He reversed death and decomposition……. one of Jesus’ most mind-boggling miracles. It was also a very public miracle, so there could have been from 50-100 witnesses.
Here is where it gets interesting. As most of you know, despite witnessing this mind-blowing miracle, some still refused to believe. Instead, they ran to the Pharisees and reported what Jesus had done (John 11:46). Rather than rejoicing, the religious leaders were threatened—and from that day on, they plotted not only to kill Jesus but also to kill Lazarus, the living evidence of His power (John 11:53; 12:10).
So what’s my point you ask? In the face of undeniable power, let me conclude with a profound quote from J.C. Ryle (1816-1900):
“We must never wonder if we see abounding unbelief in our own times and around our own homes. It may seem at first inexplicable to us how men cannot see the truth which seems so clear to ourselves and do not receive the gospel which appears so worthy of acceptation. But the plain truth is that man’s unbelief is far more deeply-seated disease than it is generally reckoned. It is proof against the logic of facts, against reasoning, against argument, against moral suasion. Nothing can melt it down but the grace of God. If we ourselves believe, we can never be too thankful.”
Image Source of Lazarus: The Chosen – Season 4, Episode 7
© 2024 The Chosen. Used under fair use for educational and devotional purposes. Available On Amazon.com.
MY SON’S HEAD-ON COLLISION
On Tuesday, my son in Mark was driving his minivan to pick up his two daughters from gymnastics—something many young families across the country can relate to, whether it’s football, soccer, dance, swimming, or simply the after-school pickup.
NOW WATCH THESE 13 SECONDS FROM HIS DASH CAM
This is the first text we received from Mark:
“Hey Mom and Dad, I want to let you know that God kept me and the other driver safe today. I went to quick care just to get checked out, all is well. I was the only occupant in the van.”
Mark was able to open his door and help the other driver out of his car. Mark said the young man appeared to be impaired in some way. I talked with my son later and he said this:
“In those few milliseconds before the crash, I called out ‘God help’ and thought I might die now.”
By His grace and mercy, God spared my son’s life. His van was totaled. Moments like that remind us how fragile life truly is. As Psalm 90:12 says, we must “number our days” because none of us are promised tomorrow. James 4:14 calls our lives a vapor—here briefly, then gone. We can do everything right, follow every rule, and still face disaster. The truth is, we’re not in control… but God is.
QUESTION: When something like this happens, does it make us more passionate about sharing the Gospel to the lost that are on that Highway to Hell? (Matthew 7:13)
Grateful for His Undeserved Grace,
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
Men: This is a devotional that needs some serious reflection.
Ask God to peel it open for you!
Increased Responsibility- Blue Book Day 175
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he
1 – Mark 10:31
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ARE YOU WEARING THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD?
WATCH JONI (YouTube 57 seconds)
Why Friendship Evangelism is Bad
WATCH RAY (YouTube 2:50 Min)
When You Want It More Than They Do
by Tim Challies
Men:
This used to be a problem with me…… when you are more concerned about a guy’s sanctification than they are. This is a great article
So what should you do when you grow concerned about another person’s progress or lack thereof? How can you respond in the face of what appears to be their apathy toward sanctification? CLICK HERE for a few suggestions.
Here’s How the B-2 Bomber
Was Stolen from God’s Design
The B-2 stealth bomber is considered a marvel of modern engineering, but what if its design was stolen from nature? Watch as Ray Comfort exposes how engineers use biomimicry to quietly borrow from God’s creation without giving Him credit. From the peregrine falcon to the owl, design after design reveals the fingerprints of a divine Creator. But the conversation doesn’t stop there, Ray shares the gospel with a skeptical man whose heart begins to soften as truth confronts him.
Watch This Video from Ray Comfort (11 min)
Below is a tiny section of the Virgo Cluster. It was just observed by the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile. This observatory just went online! It cost about 700 million and here’s a couple facts:
- The LSST Camera is the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy
- It’s the size of a small car
- Resolution: 3.2 billion pixels
- Every night it will generate 20 terabytes of data
- That’s like streaming 4,000 HD movies—every night
This observatory is amazing……. Read More About It
