MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK 2009

Loving God, make this a blessed day for this dear reader. Help them in all they face. In Jesus' Name, amen.

We find this passage from John 12:1-11: 1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." 9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Lazarus had a tremendous story to tell. He had had a near-life experience unlike any before him. As you find his story in the chapter previous to the passage above, you see that he was one who died and was buried for four days before Jesus even showed up. It was said of his body that it probably stunk, he had been buried for so long. It was at his tomb that Jesus ordered the stone to be rolled away and with a vocal command brought new life into Lazarus and he came out of the tomb. It was this story that brought many to faith in Jesus Christ. And it was this story that put him on the chief priests' "hit list." Verse 10 above says the chief priests "planned to put Lazarus to death as well." I don't think Lazarus minded dying again. He had been through it once, he knew what it was all about. In fact, it was his testimony about Jesus' power to bringing folks back to life that touched many, and led them to confess Jesus as their own life-giver and savior.

You and I should have a story similar to that of Lazarus. While we may not have physically died and been buried, all of us should be able to say that Jesus pulled us out of the tombs that had us dead spiritually. We were pulled out of a sin life into a life of abundance. Our story should be one that gives others the hope and encouragement they need to come to full life. Our witness should say, "I once was dead. I did all the wrong things, thought the wrong things, and Jesus had mercy on me." That should be the witness we give others about Jesus and what this Holy Week truly means.

Use the opportunities that God can give you to bring someone to life today. Share a word or a thought about God's great love for them through Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: On this Monday of Holy Week, let me be Your instrument to share Your love in a way that will bring a soul to life. Give me the words and the wisdom to give witness. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde