In the Grave Four Days Already - John 11:17

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him”, and in chapter eleven and verse seventeen of his book John shared, “when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already” where we read:

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

The verse reads, “Then when Jesus came, ...” John began with the words, “Then, when Jesus” which means “therefore, consequently and on this account at the time and moment the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “came” or “arose, appeared and came forth”. John shared at the time “Jesus” arose and appeared the following occurred.

The verse goes on to say, “... he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.” John continued with the words, “he found” whose name means “Jesus discovered, recognized and understood” “that he had lain in the grave” or “that Lazarus had been lying within the sepulcher or tomb for the length of” “four days already” which means “four natural spaces of twenty-four hours”. John shared how Jesus discovered that “Lazarus” had been lying in the tomb for “four twenty-four hour” periods by the time He arrived.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how “Lazarus” had been dead and buried for “four days” by the time Jesus arrived to where he was located. This delay must have greatly troubled those who knew Him well, but Jesus had a plan in mind that would demonstrate He has power over death, hell and the grave, and no time, circumstance or difficulty would impede His efforts. God wants all people to know how much He loves them, and He demonstrated His willingness to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Anyone who submits themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will understand that Jesus has everything in His control and submit themselves to His “Lordship” in every area of their lives.

Next time John shares how, “Bethany was near unto Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".