Jesus, I live and believe in You.

Today’s Scripture: John 11:26, NKJV- “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Why do we live and believe in Jesus? Is why we believe as important as believing? Our understanding changes constantly and instantly but Jesus is forever. The apostles thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was sleeping. Martha thought Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there.

Jesus knew. Jesus knows forever. Although we cannot conceive never dying, we can live in and believe in Jesus now. Like Martha in John 11:27, we can believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into this world. We can also do as Martha did in John 11:28 and secretly tell others that “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” (NKJV)

We are called to believe. Like Mary in John 11:29, we can rise and quickly come unto Jesus’ presence. As the Jews, who were with Mary in the house did in John 11:31, others will follow us to Jesus. We too can fall at the feet of Jesus as Mary did in John 11:32.

Jesus knows our pain as He showed in John 11:35, which simply states “Jesus wept.” Jesus loves us and meets us where we are. The words of Jesus in John 11:40 are still true today, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (NIV)

You and I can do as Jesus did in John 11:41 and lift our eyes towards heaven and say “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” Jesus said this for our benefit so we can believe. Because we believe in Jesus we can live in Him.

Many in that day believed because Lazarus rose from the dead. Others will believe today because Jesus raised our dead lives for the glory of God. Why do we believe? Is it for the hope of eternal life or is it out of gratitude for Jesus raising us? We cannot understand all of God’s glory, but we can live in it and share it with others.

As Caiaphas told the people of that day in John 11:52, Jesus came to gather up all the children of God who have scattered to bring them together to make them one. Jesus continues to gather God’s children today through all who live and believe in Him.

Do you live and believe in Jesus? He is calling for you.

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we lift our eyes to You, we thank You for hearing us. Thank You for sending Jesus, our Messiah and teacher, to us. Call us to live and believe in Him so others will know Your glory. We are praying to live in Your glory so all Your children who have scattered will return so we are all one in You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray. Amen.