Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 20

WHY DID JESUS WEEP?

From: May 20, 2024

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35 ESV).

The shortest verse in the Bible is one of the most revealing. Did Jesus cry in grief because Lazarus had died? No, it doesn’t seem so. For He had already told His disciples that He was going to “awaken” Lazarus (John 11:11).

So why did He cry? Perhaps it was because He saw Mary crying. He was sympathetic to her loss and grief. Even though He knew that He was about to raise Lazarus, He was still affected by her tears. Jesus has a tender heart.

Yet His weeping was accompanied by something stronger than sympathy. For the Scripture says that when He saw Mary weeping He was “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (John 11:33). The Greek word translated, “deeply moved” might literally be translated, “to groan or snort with anger.” In other words, Jesus cried angry tears. As the Bread of Life, death was anathema to His very being. He was disturbed about death itself. He so abhorred the wages that man’s sin had wrought that a sound like a snorting horse escaped his lips and tears fell down his cheeks. Jesus hates death.

As He approached Lazarus’ tomb, He commanded them to “roll the stone away!” Life said to Death, “Come forth!” And Lazarus was raised up and walked out of the tomb. Oh, the depth of Christ’s passion for us! Oh, the great love He has that he would die our death, so that we might receive His eternal Life.

PRAYER: Dear Father, the shortest verse teaches us much about our Lord and Savior Jesus. For He has compassion for us. He weeps for us. He loves us and is well acquainted with our grief. More than that, Jesus comforts us and saves us from sin and death. Thank You Father! Thank You for Jesus! In His name we pray, amen.

NEW LIFE, NEW CLOTHES!

From: May 20, 2023

‘Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”‘ (John 11:43-44 NLT).

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He instructed his family and friends to help him out of his graveclothes. Surely the clothes must have smelled of death just as Martha had warned, for Lazarus had been dead for four days. The dead man Lazarus was raised to life by the call of Jesus, saying “Lazarus, come forth!” Now, Lazarus was like a new man. And a new man needs new clothes. But first, he must be loosed from the old ones.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Eph. 4:21-22, 24).

When we are born again, we must put off the old graveclothes of our former lives and put on the new clothes of the new nature. This is an action taken in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, just as Lazarus needed help to get out of his graveclothes, so we need the fellowship of believers to help us with ours. After all, isn’t it our family and friends that let us know when we stink? And as the proverb says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17).

So, get out of the stinky graveclothes of your old life and be clothed in Christ’s new clothes of righteousness.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Christ Jesus has called us to new life. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to put off the old life and to put on the new today. Reveal our hearts to us that we might put off anything that isn’t according to our new life in Christ. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit that we might walk in the newness of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”’ (John 11:43 NLT).

From: May 20, 2022

THE WORD THAT RAISES THE DEAD

The One who had said, “Let there be light,” later entered into this sin darkened world to bring light once again. He spoke resurrection life to a four-days-dead man, shouting, “Lazarus, come forth!” He called to him specifically because otherwise all the dead on planet earth would have burst forth from the grave at His command.

This One speaking was none other than the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that was in the beginning with God and is God. The same Word that brought all things into being, commanded Lazarus to rise. And Lazarus came forth!

What seems dead in your life today? A relationship, a dream, a calling you haven’t answered and now it seems too late? Look to the One who can make the dead come to life.

Some day the Word will return with the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Arise, My love!” And the dead in Christ shall rise and those living will be changed. Do you believe this?

PRAYER: Father, we thank You for Jesus, who calls us to come out of sin and death and separation and to receive His righteousness, life and Sonship. He is the glorious One. He is the Life who has overcome death. Give us wisdom and strength this day to live for Him as we await the sound of His voice commanding us to “Come forth!” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go”‘ (John 11:44 HCSB).

From: May 20, 2021

NEW LIFE, NEW CLOTHES!

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He instructed his family and friends to help him out of his graveclothes. Surely the clothes must have smelled of death just as Martha had warned, for Lazarus had been dead for four days. The dead man Lazarus was raised to life by the call of Jesus, saying “Lazarus, come forth!” Now, Lazarus was like a new man. And a new man needs new clothes. But first, he must be loosed from the old ones.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Eph. 4:21-22, 24).

When we are born again, we must put off the old graveclothes of our former lives and put on the new clothes of the new nature. This is an action taken in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, just as Lazarus needed help to get out of his graveclothes, so we need the fellowship of believers to help us with ours. After all, isn’t it our family and friends that let us know when we stink? And as the proverb says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17).

So, get out of those stinky graveclothes of your old life and be clothed in Christ’s new clothes of righteousness.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Christ Jesus has called us to new life. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to put off the old life and to put on the new today. Reveal our hearts to us that we might put off anything that isn’t according to our new life in Christ. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit that we might walk in the newness of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43 NKJV).

From: May 20, 2020

JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

The One who had said, “Let there be light,” now entered into His fallen creation, speaking resurrection life to those dead in their sins. He called to “Lazarus” specifically because otherwise every dead body on planet earth would have burst forth from the grave at His command, “Come forth!” This One speaking was none other than the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God. The same Word that brought all things into being, now commanded Lazarus to rise. Some day, the Word will return with the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Arise, My love!” And the dead in Christ shall rise and those living will be changed. Do you believe this?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us life. More than that, thank You for Jesus who has given us life anew. Now empower us by Your Spirit to live life fully for You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”’ (John 11:43 NLT).

From: May 20, 2019

DO YOU KNOW THE ONE WHO CAN COMMAND THE DEAD TO RISE?

The One who had said, “Let there be light,” later entered into this sin darkened world to bring light once again. He spoke resurrection life to a four-days-dead man, shouting, “Lazarus, come forth!” He called to him specifically because otherwise all the dead on planet earth would have burst forth from the grave at His command.

This One speaking was none other than the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that was in the beginning with God and is God. The same Word that brought all things into being, commanded Lazarus to rise. Some day, the Word will return with the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Arise, My love!” And the dead in Christ shall rise and those living will be changed. Do you believe this?

PRAYER: Father, we thank You for Jesus, who calls us to come out of sin and death and separation and to receive His righteousness, life and Sonship. He is the glorious One. He is the Life who has overcome death. Give us wisdom and strength this day to live for Him as we await the sound of His voice commanding us to “Come forth!” In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:43-44 NLT).

From: May 20, 2018

PUT OFF THE OLD GRAVECLOTHES!

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He instructed his family and friends to help him out of his graveclothes. Surely the clothes must have smelled of death just as Martha had warned, for Lazarus had been dead four days. Yet, the man Lazarus was raised to life by the call of Jesus. A new man needs new clothes.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Eph. 4:21-22, 24).

When we are born again, we must put off the old graveclothes of our former lives and put on the new clothes of the new nature. This is an action taken in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, just as Lazarus needed help to get out of his graveclothes, so we need the community of believers to help us with ours. After all, isn’t it our family and friends that let us know when we stink?

So, get out of those stinky graveclothes and clothe yourselves in Christ’s clothes of righteousness.

“Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night” (1 Samuel 28:20 NKJV).

From: May 20, 2017

King Saul, the first king of Israel, who had begun so well, finished in fear and dread, ultimately committing suicide. The young, tall and awkwardly humble Saul (remember him hiding among the baggage), had grown to be the old, prideful and painfully paranoid king. Yet here, when he saw and heard from the shade of Samuel, we see the humbled and broken man as he was.

When Samuel asked why Saul had “disturbed” him, Saul stooped with his face to the ground and replied, “God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore.”

How tragic it is to see the decline of one who was blessed of God, but took his eyes off of the Lord that blesses, to put them on the blessings themselves. It is a heartbreaking reminder to keep our eyes on the Lord, especially as we grow older. It is good to begin well, but even better to finish well for the Lord!

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 ESV)

From: May 20, 2016

Get advice before you act. Cultivate a personal board of advisors for your life decisions. Choose those whose lives exemplify godly wisdom. Pray together with them, seeking direction from the Lord. Then, be humble enough to follow their counsel.

“Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43 NKJV)

From: May 20, 2015

The One who had said, “Let there be light,” now entered into His fallen creation, speaking resurrection life to those dead in their sins. He called to “Lazarus” specifically because otherwise every dead body on planet earth would have burst forth from the grave at His command, “Come forth!” This One speaking was none other than the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God. The same Word that brought all things into being, now commanded Lazarus to rise. Some day, the Word will return with the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Arise, My love!” And the dead in Christ shall rise and those living will be changed. Do you believe this?