John’s Gospel invites readers to “come and see”—not just to hear Christ’s words, but to engage with Him, to “come and see” who Christ is. This was the way of Christ Himself. When His followers had questions, when they were troubled about the world, Christ invited them to come and see the answer: Him.
What is the answer to sin, death, and darkness? Christ. Won’t you come and see?
The phrase “come and see” appears four times in the Gospel of John, and the pattern that appears is this: when we see Christ and what He has to offer, we see life, but when we see what man offers, we see death.
“Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. —John 1:39
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. —John 1:46
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” —John 4:29
In all three instances above, we are invited to “come and see” Christ as the Messiah, to see what He is doing.
In John 11:34, Jesus asks for his friend Lazarus, saying, “Where have you put him?” “Lord,” they tell Him, “come and see.” But this “come and see” doesn’t point to Christ; instead it points to death.
The only solution to sin and darkness is Christ Jesus. When Christ bids us “come and see,” He shows us life. When the world bids us “come and see,” we find a man laid in a tomb. We find death.
The next verse, verse 35, tells us that “Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus. Death has struck a blow, and Jesus weeps to see sin and its consequences in a fallen world. But His tears are not an indication of defeat. Instead, there at Lazarus’s tomb, Christ wages war on death, arresting the powers of death and decay, and reversing them.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
—John 11:25–26
The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a foreshadowing of Christ’s work on the cross, which will come just a short time later (John 19–21). Defeating death once and for all, Jesus Himself is raised from the dead. This time, it is Mary Magdalene who weeps, while looking for the body of her Lord. Jesus asks what she is seeking, then simply calls her by name: “Mary” (John 20:16). He’s calling us too.
We have seen who Christ is. The light has come. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). The invitation is no longer just to “come and see,” but to follow Him, to walk with Him (John 8:12). Now that we have seen the light, we are called to abide in it and bear witness to its power and goodness.
Behold Christ, the light of life. Love Him. Walk with Him.
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68 thoughts on "The Resurrection and the Life"
I love this passage! Jesus is life! ❤️
I didn’t realize the kind of life I was living until I experience life with Jesus Christ. This is Living!
Beautiful. He comes to bring life. Not for the future, not just after our bodies die. No, His Life is full and He offers it to us right here and right now. My soul rejoices in the life He has given me: so thankful He called me outta that tomb!
Amen… we’ve (spouse and I read John many times… and it is beautiful how God unfolds scripture to each of us in such an interesting, tender manner.
I love you words shared. May we always praise HIS name.
❤️
Lord help me not just to come and see, but to follow and walk with you wholeheartedly each and every day.
“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe”- John 11:27
May I respond as readily to Jesus ❤️
“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe”- John 11:27
“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” – John 11:27
I love the articulation of the differences between the ways come and see are used. May I always come and see what Jesus has for me.
Really loved this devotional Thank you for letting God use you.
Jesus, we are here because we want to “come and see”, please lead us the way and let us be calm in your arms. Amen!
A gentleman (father of high schoolers) in our church is currently in icu on a ventilator and the doctors have said there are no other meds to try. So the last two days we all have been praying at 3:00 for him. Today as I prayed at work this is the exact scripture that came to mind. “We do not have a high priest that cannot sympathize with our weakness..” Jesus had sick and dying friends as well. Believing for a miracle!
Thank you all for your kind replies and prayers! They mean so much!
Thank you so much for this! His direction is the only way to look!
The Jesus/Martha exchange: for once Jesus is speaking about the here and now. Normally he’s confusing people with his Kingdom Mindedness.
I love that Jesus wept. This is the shortest scripture in the bible 2 words. Jesus wept! He wept for his friends Lazuras,Mary, and Martha. He was feeling grieved like we do. He was fully man, fully Christ.
Today marks 17 years since my dad died. I’ve been doing pretty well, pausing and remembering and talking with my mom and siblings here and there. It was wonderful to be reminded here tonight of John 11:25-26. Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, my dad, who believed in Him, though he died, is alive in Him. So many thanks to God. Amen
Beth, you’re so welcome, this is a truth that the Lord taught me through the study of Esther early in 2021 during the hardest time of my life and continued to grow in me and teach me these truths in ever day since. Thankful for the opportunity to share ❤️
Connie— such a great thought. I never thought of this.
Elizabeth Oster— Oh, I never thought of that!
It struck me that “Jesus wept”. It gives me comfort to know that He weeps with me.
Thank you Brooke P!
Great news, my COVID test was negative and so was everyone else’s in Finley’s family. GOD IS GOOD!!!!
The story of Lazarus being raised from death and Martha’s and Mary’s love and devotion and faith for Christ is one I will never grow tired of hearing. This is the love, devotion and faith I strive for in my walk with the Lord.
Sisters, be blessed and ALWAYS WALK WITH THE LORD!!!!
I will be praying for sweet Ruth and as well that the Lord uses Ruth to glorify the Son, Jesus Christ, through her.
I appreciate all your insights, SRT sisters. I’m currently battling Covid, so I have lots of time to pray over the many requests today. Thank you for your vulnerability.
❤️❤️
Sorry my message got cut off and posted twice* * continued: because HE would make a way for their deliverance through another way. The Lord does not forget His children, He has their deliverance and HIS glory in mind from the beginning. Such sweet sweet truths that are a constant thread through the Bible to remind us in our low points that the LORD is already at work even if we can’t see the result yet. We are soul safe in Him.
Thank you, Brooke. I needed this today.
Praying for Nancy M. & Ruth, as well as the doctors & healthcare workers that have been facing this pandemic head on. Praying for you Victoria E., Allison M. Kristen & many others! Searching— I echo your prayer and sentiment. || I absolutely LOVE this today. Jesus waited, because God’s timing is for HIS glory & our good seeing His glory, but even though He was well aware of the outcome, He STILL met His friends where they were & wept with them in the midst of their sadness. Praise GOD. We see this also in Esther. The Lord has put in place Esther for the deliverance of the Jews before the edict had ever come about. His plan for His people to be delivered & himself glorified through their turning to Him & deliverance was set in motion before the Jews EVER even thought there would be an edict for their slaughter. Before Mordecai ever wore sack cloth, turned to the Lord, lamented, pleaded and wet bitterly— the Lord had already set in motion their deliverance. Mordecai reminded Esther that she didn’t have to follow through with working with God because HE would make any
Thank you Eileen Soto!
Praying for Nancy M.
That’s such an interesting thought Connie!
Thank you Mari!
Lisa, i’m in California and praying for Nancy M.
If Jesus would have not said Lazarus name, all the dead would have risen!
This gospel makes me think of the song, Four Days Late, and brings to mind a line from the chorus, “when He’s four days late, He’s still on time”. God is never late in answering our prayers….always in His time….
Praying for our She Reads Truth, sister in Christ, Nancy M. (California) this morning as she is going into kidney surgery. Let’s all gather, intercede and agree the surgeon’s, doctors and nurses have the wisdom required and that their hands are guided by the one and only healer, Jesus Christ! As Prayers go up Blessings come down! Amen.
“Come and see…” (John 1:39, 46; 4:29; 11:34)
“Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” (John 4:48)
“Believe and you will see…” (John 11:40)
“Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29).
There is so much tension in this book between seeing and believing! Jesus’ miracles (signs) are for people to see that they might believe and many are invited to come and see Jesus. Yet there is also the teaching that we must believe before we can truly see. Jesus asked them to move the stone. Martha had some valid reasons not to move the stone. But it wasn’t until they moved the stone—believed that Jesus would do something—only then did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead and show them the glory of God. Do I believe and obey, even when it doesn’t make sense in my own reasoning? Which comes first for me, seeing or believing?
So true that following “man” leads to death and following Jesus is life. In our world today everything earthly points to follow “man” . “Man is safe and effective”. …..The lies bombard my mind therefore I rest in the truth of the Word. In the beginning and forever is the Word. The Word is life.
KELLY (NEO) – Thanks for the reference to that song! It really spoke to me this morning.
Praying that God will heal Ruth and provide peace and comfort for her and Johnnie as they battle this new tumor.
Delighting In experiencing the moments when reading the Word leads me straight into worship of Jesus. Seeing God’s great glory this morning.
I’m sorry to hear about your son, EVELYN LUI. You are in my prayers
My husband is on staff at a church. Last night we found out that a precious member of our church has a tumor on her brain. She has been battling breast cancer and it looks like it has spread. We are all heartbroken for her and her family. Her name is Ruth and her husband’s name is Johnnie. Please pray for them.
This morning when I sat down to read today’s devotion I read these words, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (v.4). Last night we prayed that God would heal her, but that even more, He would use this for His glory. This verse, y’all…I’m sitting at my computer at school trying to get myself together before my students come. No matter what we have this promise that God will be glorified whether through Ruth’s healing her with us or her ultimate healing when she sees Jesus and her faith becomes sight. Oh, what a day!
How beautifully tender is this passage, where we see Jesus’s humanity and divinity so interwoven. He is not unlike us, crying in grief at death, but so fully God in His ability to reverse it. I am reminded that God does not want to see us in pain, but can use even our greatest struggles for His glory. May I never forget that God loves me and wants to heal the sin in our world. Thank you all for your kind messages, prayers, and words of welcome. I’m praying for you all to feel God’s love and to be filled with faith today. Amen.
I’ve read this passage so many times, and always wondered what exactly did it mean when it was said of Jesus that ‘He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.”? (John 11:33,38) So I did a little “digging”. The Greek word embrimáomai, (vs 33,38) is often translated, “deeply moved” – but here it means something different. The word is used in classical Greek of horses “snorting” as they prepare to charge the enemy, and also refers to indignation or rage. (https://everydaybioethics.org/intersections/angry-death-reading-john-11)
His groaning shows how very much He loves his precious children, and that includes you and me!
Jesus was very angry, He was enraged, He had a deep mixture of sadness and anger because of the suffering and death of someone He loved – caused by death, the final enemy!
Praise God that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and to overcome the enemy of death and the grave! He was and is victorious! Because Jesus was raised from death to life, we also have that precious promise to look forward to!
Have a blessed and thankful Thursday all my She sisters! And a prayer for all of our nurses who are on the “front-lines” every day fighting this battle with covid and caring for those who have been touched by it.
I noticed Caiaphas (maybe for the first time) in this passage. He was also a Pharisee. Pharisees, who have a bad reputation (even though we often act the same way) had a hard time believing in Jesus. He just didn’t look like the messiah they were expecting. He didn’t yield the power they were expecting. They were concerned with their status rather than truly hearing Jesus and opening their hearts to his mission…. BUT GOD. Even a Pharisee had the capacity to believe. Caiaphas predicts Jesus’ death (“it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish”) and to His mission (Jesus will “unite the scattered children of God” — I.e. He will save Jews and Gentiles). The text says Caiaphas “did not say this on his own,” which I read to mean that God inspired his prophesy. Today I’m left with this message: Jesus came to save — even the Pharisees — who believe in Him. What good news!
Jesus modeled peace and hope in the face of crisis. This didn’t look like preventing suffering, but rather how walk with it. He loved Lazarus and his sisters. Yet he allowed the death and loss. It’s so hard to balance the vulnerability to love with the pain of loss. Our Father holds it all together for us. And He came to us in such a mysterious and miraculous way. He showed us how to live. When we follow Jesus, abiding in The Word, we “light up like the luminaries of Heaven” (Dan 12:3 Septuagint). This light is what sparks the warming and healing power of faith. Father, help me model this peace and hope in the face of crisis in our world. Let my life bring You glory. Help me rely on You each day for my daily Bread. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Come and see…
Two things I hadn’t thought of before… Rebecca pointed out in her devotion that Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb, and then that MARY wept at Jesus’. (I get goosebumps when I read the post-resurrection details… where Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener, and then He calls her by name… love it!) The second thing I noticed was how Lazarus’ grave clothes come off like the sin and burdens that were removed from us, when He called us! Suh-weet!
Thank you, Kristen! You are doing such profound work. May God keep you and bring you strength, comfort, and peace. May he do the same for everyone in your unit – staff and patients alike.
Lord, please forgive me. Please allow me to see your glory and join you in the resurrection. Amen.
Jesus is always right on time. His actions are purposeful. Martha and Mary thought He was too late to heal their brother. Jesus had a grander plan. I pray today that I would not be impatient when I’m in a waiting season. I pray I would trust His timing and keep my eyes out for Him. His plan is always the best.
What a glorious day it will be when Jesus comes back to wipe away every tear and restore everything to it’s rightful place! Today’s passages make me long for that day. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice for me and for all of us that we can spend eternity with You <3
This is what I hold on to. I hold on to it for my life. But also for my son who died 5 years ago. I hold on to this as I know my boy held on to it too. I hold on to this as my heart is broken in this broken world.
Jesus, being fully human and fully God, embraced his humanness in this tender situation where he weeps for Lazarus death. I also love his longing to be with Mary and Martha – his true, devoted love to them. It’s amazing that he loves me the same! He will weep with me in my sorrow, but only for the brokenness that brings it, because he knows there is greater promises beyond.
Come and see the greatness and glory of God.
KELLY (NEO) – yes, this Gentile is ever so thankful I was grafted in!
Praying for healthcare workers as they face tremendous daily challenges;
for teens, young adults and really children of all ages for their faith to strengthen, to resist temptations that distract, and that those who have turned away will feel the pull to turn back. I ran for many years, as far from Him as I could go. Overwhelmed with gratitude that He was waiting for me.
So moving to see both sides of Jesus in this passage – His love for these friends is so clear and His sorrow evident by His tears, followed by using His power as the Christ, Son of the Almighty God, to raise Lazarus to life after 4 days of death and drawing some of the witnesses to believe in Him. Not raising him a few minutes after death, where some might have said that Lazarus wasn’t really dead yet and questioning what happened but FOUR days later. In a song (Four Days Late) by Karen Peck, it says But His way is God’s way, Not yours or mine. And isn’t it great, when He’s four days late- He’s still on time!
Thank you Kristen for standing on the front lines, and having the eyes to see Jesus in the midst of it all!
When reading about Mary and Martha, I usually feel bad for Martha. In sermons, Mary get the credit for her great faith and wanting to sit at the feet of Jesus, while Martha often gets used as an example of trying to do works before faith. But in this story, our girl Martha runs out to meet Jesus, boldly confronts him (where were you!) but then puts her faith front and center but telling Jesus she knows the power of God runs through him and he can fix this. May I be as bold and steadfast as Martha.
Kristen, thank you for all you and fellow medical staff do, praying for your protection . God placed you in your position to be a witness and lead people to ‘come and see’.
Kristen Dill and Liana Rosedelacorte and others in healthcare – thank you for you work on the front lines, for being the light on the dark places when the comfort of family and friends have been denied.
The Religious Leaders were so focused on the natural, even when one of their own spoke of Jesus’ death they did not apply it correctly. “‘You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.’ He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God.”
Jesus did indeed die for the nation and for the world so that we Gentiles might be grafted in and be children of God.
This story hits me in a new and profound way right now as a COVID ICU nurse. I have seen so much death and destruction in ways the world will never know, and I have felt Jesus weeping at the great sadness of these devastating situations. I have also experienced Jesus’ resurrection power in the spiritual realm as He frees His children from the prison of their bodies and hospital rooms! Witnessing death as freedom from this world has been a beautiful experience, and one’s i am honored to be a part of!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Even when I die, I will never be death. I have eternal life in Him who is the Life.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” – John 11:40
Oh Lord, please help us to see your glory.
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