Deeply moved once more, Jesus went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone placed at the entrance. "Take the stone away!" Jesus ordered.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, answered, "There will be a bad smell, Lord. He has been buried four days!"

Jesus said to her, "Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believed?" They took the stone away. Jesus looked up and said, "I thank you, Father, that you listen to me. I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me." After he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" He came out, his hands and feet wrapped in grave cloths, and with a cloth around his face. "Untie him," Jesus told them, "and let him go."

John 11:38-44

When a loved one dies and we go to the cemetery, we listen and watch as the body is lowered into the ground. Bible verses are read about the resurrection. Sometimes we later return to leave some flowers and stand with our head bowed in memory and respect. Our loved one is dead, and we know we can never bring the person back. But when Jesus went to the cemetery, he raised Lazarus from the dead. It is that same Jesus that we believe in today. The one who is our resurrection. The one who leads us to eternity with Him and with our loved ones who have also accepted Him as their own Savior. Your day will come, and so will mine. Will we see each other in heaven?

For the Christian, death is the doorway to glory.

Our Daily Bread – February 26, 2003