Daily Devotion • February 6
As we continue to share devotions written by Dr. John Buchanan during his time as Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, today we reflect on a meditation from January 2005.
Today's Scripture
John 11:7–16
Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (NRSV)
Reflection
What is really going on here? If Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus is critically ill, why does Jesus wait two days before going to see him? Why all this vague talk about day and night, light and darkness?
Clearly Jesus wants his disciples to look beneath the surface to see deeper meaning, to see what God might be doing in the midst of ordinary human life
A clue here is Jesus’ wonderful statement “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” Jesus represents the force of life over against the blunt reality of death, light over against darkness. As the story plays out, Jesus will continue to face the darkness, submit himself to it, enter the darkness in his own death, and establish the victory of life and light in his Easter resurrection.
In the meantime, don’t you find yourself asking, “Where, in my life, have I fallen asleep? When have I decided that the light is too bright, too challenging, too daunting, too demanding, and decided to step back into the safety of the shadows?”
Don’t you love the idea that Jesus saves us from the very real powers of death and darkness by waking us from our sleep, by taking our hand and escorting us into the light?
Don’t you love — as I do — the hint that he comes into our lives to make sure we are awake?
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the promise that your will for me is life and that I live the life you give with my head up and eyes wide open. Thank you for sending Jesus to wake me when I start to slumber. Keep me awake and alert so that I can live fully in the promise of your love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor Emeritus
January 18, 2005
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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