Scripture to Read: John 11:16–32
Though Jesus had comforted the disciples about returning to Judea, we can tell from John 11:16 that they did not believe Him (Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”). Thomas told the other guys that they would not abandon their Lord and to plan to die alongside Him. The disciples followed their Lord back to Judea, thinking they’d die and having no clue what our Lord would do. We might think we know what our Lord has planned for us, but we really don’t until it happens. We have to trust Him every day of our lives and rest in the fact that He is God and we are not. Mary and Martha also had to learn that lesson, for we read in John 11:20–32 that when Martha and Mary encountered Jesus, they said similar things to Him. Martha said in John 11:21–22, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Then, we read what Mary said to Jesus in John 11:32, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Martha and Mary knew Jesus could have healed Lazarus if He had arrived before He died, but neither of the ladies knew of His resurrection power. Our Lord’s power is limitless, and we must guard against thoughts that our Lord can’t do something. It may not be His perfect will, but that does not mean He’s unable.
Challenge & Application
• What did God teach you about Thomas, Martha, and Mary today?
• From what God taught you today, how will you apply it to your life, and how will you help others to see what you now see?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!