August 2

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Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; … but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. John 12:1-2

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🔊 When a person grows old and approaches death, it is often the case that their wisdom will sharpen and increase in the face of eternity. Christians certainly have this advantage even before growing old, because we live in the light of eternity. But our advantages are of a much greater order. Lazarus not only lived in the light of eternity, but died and passed beyond the veil into the unspeakable joy of heaven. And, more than that, he was raised from the dead to live again with the wisdom he had obtained. Yet even more than this, the Christian has the companionship of the One who died and rose again to live for evermore. Lazarus sat at an ordinary table as one who had experienced resurrection. How this must have changed his perspective for ever, and made him a great optimist! Once we have experienced death and resurrection by faith, we pass into eternal companionship with the Son of God, and eat and drink at His table in His kingdom. We are to rejoice and let the glory of the resurrection inspire and define our lives at every moment of every day. Resurrection life is not a slogan; it is a transformed way of thinking about life, before and after death. Eternal life is not something that begins after physical death – it begins when we die by faith and begin to taste eternity, and see the bright lights of earth fade in comparison with the glory of God.