Devotional: A Victorious Thank You

John 11:41-44 “So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard me’” (John 11:41, NASB). John 11 is the story of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. When at last Jesus gets to the home of Lazarus he has been dead for four days. Jesus finds Lazarus’ sisters and their friend mourning their loss. They had sent for Jesus to come and heal their brother, but Jesus is too late. Martha confesses to Jesus that she believes that her brother will rise again in the resurrection, but for now he is a dead man. Jesus goes to the tomb and tells the grave keepers to remove the stone. Then, Jesus does something strange. He thanks the Father for what He is about to do. He thanks God so that in seeing Lazarus come to life the people will believe in Jesus and what He says. Jesus says “‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (vv. 25-25, NASB). What a message of hope in the resurrection! What a witness to the love of God! What a victorious thank you.