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

A large number of people heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from death. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too, because on his account many Jews were rejecting them and believing in Jesus.

John 12:9-11

How about you? Have you seen miracles? Our Christian beliefs are based on miracles. Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus. Jesus was raised from the dead by God. Pretty simple, and yet if you can’t accept the miracle of the resurrection that God, through our belief in Jesus offers us, you don’t have a Christian belief. God and Jesus work in us, through the Spirit every day. Do you recognize that good work? Do you see the miracles you have been blessed with?

Death separates us for a time; Christ will reunite us forever.

Our Daily Bread – October 23, 2003