Baptism
John 11:38-44 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Friday - April 3 - Read John 11:38-44
How does Jesus raise the dead, stinky Lazarus? He speaks. He uses words to
give new life. This is how God has been working since the beginning (Gen.
1:3). God speaks, new life is given and God is glorified. This is why we
baptize babies in the Lutheran church! Like the dead man, Lazarus, a baby is
completely passive. They do nothing to “get” faith or earn God’s love.
Instead, the words of God are spoken and given to them. It is a gift. When
that baby is taken home God uses mom and dad to speak God’s love every
day. Every baptized Christian has been given the task of speaking God’s
Word of grace, mercy and new life (John 20:21). God has chosen to use
words to speak into our dead hearts and create the new life of faith.
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