40 Days of PRAYER - 38
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of PRAYER
Day 38 | JESUS RAISES HIS EYES
40 Days of PRAYER
Day 38 | JESUS RAISES HIS EYES
JESUS RAISES HIS EYES
John 11:41-42
“So they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the crowd standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.’”
This, of course, is the time when Jesus performed another unbelievable miracle and raised his close friend, Lazarus, from the dead.
When Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ grave, we essentially have three types of people there… the followers of Jesus who believed He WAS the Son of God, those Jews who came to see and comfort Mary and Martha at the loss of their brother Lazarus (who were on the fence about Jesus), and those who didn’t believe in Jesus and wanted him gone.
So, Jesus arrives, feels great grief – just as we would (the shortest verse in the Bible is found here, John 11:35 “Jesus wept”) – and then He tells them to roll away the stone. Martha suggests that this isn’t a good idea and Jesus gently chastises her by saying: “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
And THEN, before anything happens with Lazarus, Jesus talks to His Father. Note how Jesus “raises His eyes.” Note also that this is not a prayer in terms of making a request, but rather a prayer of THANKSGIVING to His Father. It’s also interesting to me – one who was raised in Sunday school and at home to believe that prayer ALWAYS requires closing your eyes, folding hands, and bowing of the head – that Jesus did none of that. Instead, He raised His eyes and talked to the Father, partially for the benefit of those around Him who were listening. And then with His command: “Lazarus, come out,” Lazarus rose from the dead.
Prayer: LORD, Your prayers are amazing; the way You talk with Your Heavenly Father. But I’m reminded of how You taught us that HE is our Heavenly Father too. Thank you that we can be Children of God – through our faith in You. Amen.
John 11:41-42
“So they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the crowd standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.’”
This, of course, is the time when Jesus performed another unbelievable miracle and raised his close friend, Lazarus, from the dead.
When Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ grave, we essentially have three types of people there… the followers of Jesus who believed He WAS the Son of God, those Jews who came to see and comfort Mary and Martha at the loss of their brother Lazarus (who were on the fence about Jesus), and those who didn’t believe in Jesus and wanted him gone.
So, Jesus arrives, feels great grief – just as we would (the shortest verse in the Bible is found here, John 11:35 “Jesus wept”) – and then He tells them to roll away the stone. Martha suggests that this isn’t a good idea and Jesus gently chastises her by saying: “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
And THEN, before anything happens with Lazarus, Jesus talks to His Father. Note how Jesus “raises His eyes.” Note also that this is not a prayer in terms of making a request, but rather a prayer of THANKSGIVING to His Father. It’s also interesting to me – one who was raised in Sunday school and at home to believe that prayer ALWAYS requires closing your eyes, folding hands, and bowing of the head – that Jesus did none of that. Instead, He raised His eyes and talked to the Father, partially for the benefit of those around Him who were listening. And then with His command: “Lazarus, come out,” Lazarus rose from the dead.
Prayer: LORD, Your prayers are amazing; the way You talk with Your Heavenly Father. But I’m reminded of how You taught us that HE is our Heavenly Father too. Thank you that we can be Children of God – through our faith in You. Amen.
Posted in PRAYER