Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
2. Jesus makes us think about sleep in some ways you might have never thought about sleep before. Some may even think it a little weird.
3. Scripture
   1. John 11:9-11
   2. Jesus:  There are 12 hours of daylight, correct? If anyone walks in the day, that person does not stumble because he or she sees the light of the world.  If anyone walks at night, he will trip and fall because he does not have the light within.  (Jesus briefly pauses.) Our friend Lazarus has gone to sleep, so I will go to awaken him.
4. Devotional
   1. I wish I could face the reality of death as easily as Jesus did. Of course, He knows the other side of that curtain and we don’t. He tells us about it. We hear reports of near death experiences from some, but we really don’t know what lies on the other side of the grave until we actually go through that process. I don’t know about you, but I’m not anxious to go through it.
      1. Not necessarily afraid of death
      2. But not anxious to go through it to face that unknown
   2. Lazarus experience help us face that unknown better
      1. Just sleeps
      2. Waiting to wake up
         1. Most wake up on the other side of this life
         2. He woke up again on this side
   3. Sleep is the time our bodies heal
      1. Minds organize the day through dream process
      2. Cells work their hardest to repair the damage done through the day
      3. Empties themselves of toxins and sends them to the liver and kidneys
      4. Body mends and prepares for the next day
   4. Jesus looked to the tomb and saw something besides decay and death and finality
      1. He saw life and vitality
      2. He saw joy and renewal and continued relationship
      3. He saw beyond the grief of the moment and looked into the future where He would receive His friends in heaven
   5. We all need sleep in this life and Jesus knows we will sleep before we move into the next one
      1. He did not call it death because He doesn’t want us to fear it
      2. He wants those who believe in Him to recognize it for what it is, transition from one state of life to another
      3. When we follow Him we don’t need to fear death
      4. It will be like Lazarus experienced and Jesus described
      5. “Our friend Lazarus has gone to sleep, so I will go to awaken him.”
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.