New life
Day 400, Monday, Sept. 15
John Chapter 11 – 12:11
Most of today’s reading is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
When Jesus first tells Martha that her brother will live again, she takes it as an affirmation of the resurrection we will all share in, saying, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus responded with, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
When someone important to us dies we often wish for a miracle like the raising of Lazarus—a return to this earthly life.
But ultimately Lazarus wasn’t raised just so Jesus could see his friend again or that Mary and Martha could have their brother back. He was raised to show us that Jesus has power over life and death; even our life and death.
Jesus was grieved by the death of his friend, just as we are grieved by the deaths of those we love.
But thanks to what was witnessed by many with the raising of Lazarus and the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus we have evidence that death is not the end. Jesus is the resurrection that will restore us to life after our journey in this world ends.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Job 34:16-30
“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
“His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.

Prayer focus
God, death is all around us, and we grieve. Remind us that, however sad, earthly death is not the end and that those who live and die in you will be raised.