It is thanksgiving season and there are many reasons for us to be thankful to God for, but have you ever wondered what Jesus was thankful for. John 11 records the account of Jesus miraculously resurrecting his friend, Lazarus, back from the dead. But before Jesus performed this miracle, the Bible records, that Jesus was glad that he was not in the city where Lazarus was, when he was alive, so that people may believe in him (John 11:15) and he gave thanks (John 11:41-42). Upon seeing what Jesus did through the miracle of resurrection, many of those who had gathered around the tomb of Lazarus believed (John 11:45).
Points to ponder:
Jesus gave thanks to God for the miracle of resurrection, not only as an event (where Lazarus is raised) (John 11:44), but also in his person (so that people may see and believe that Jesus is indeed who he claimed to be – the resurrection and the life) (John 11:15,25,42,45). Today Jesus, our friend, may not seem to be where we want him to be. In the midst of our troubles that seem to take the life out of us, we may feel that we have no hope. Jesus is glad that he is not where we want him to be, so that we may believe, when we see (with our spiritual eyes), that he is indeed the resurrection and the life and those who believe in him, even though they are dead, yet they shall life. Have you seen life? Have you seen Jesus Christ – our resurrection and our life? Have you believed in him? We can give thanks this thanksgiving season, for Jesus who shows us that He is Life!
John 11: 15,25-26,41-45 (KJV)
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him
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25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
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41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
