DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 1. 2012
WHAT A FRIEND!
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. John 11:7-15
Jesus was a friend to a man named Lazarus; for even in the face of great danger Jesus wanted to go to Judaea to see Lazarus. This story is told in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11. Jesus realized that his friend had died, and he did weep. But he loved Lazarus and desired to awake him out of his sleep, which is to say: raise him out of the dead. How would Jesus do this? Jesus proclaimed, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" ( John 11:25). Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead through the power of the resurrection. For he is the resurrection. He is the life. Isn't it wonderful to have a friend in Jesus. For he is always ready to bring life to us and to raise us up out of every dead situation that tries to bind us.
Today, let us be glad that we have a friend in Jesus!
