JESUS SURPRISES THEM ALL

Jesus, help me enjoy happy surprises -- and surprise other people, too! Amen.

Jesus went with His disciples to see His friend Lazarus, who was sick. But, when they got there, they found out Lazarus had died. "I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus told everyone. "If you believe in me, even if you die, you'll live again." He yelled into the cave where Lazarus was buried, "Come out!" And Lazarus walked out of the tomb, alive and well.

Surprises are the best. When a friend unexpectedly says she's glad to know you and gives you a hug, or a teacher suddenly hands out stickers just for fun, it makes your whole day better!

Even the people you think you know best can always surprise you. Jesus certainly proved that in this week's Gospel (John 11:1-45).

A small surprise can make a big difference to you, especially something done out of love. You know your friends care about you, or they wouldn't hang around with you -- but getting a surprise hug is still a treat! A sticker from a teacher is something special you look at on your notebook all day and smile.

When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He didn't rush there right away. People criticized Him; even Lazarus' family were upset that Jesus hadn't arrived before Lazarus died. Everyone assumed it was too late for Jesus to help.

They thought they knew Jesus and knew what to expect from Him: that He could heal sick people. They didn't realize He had a bigger surprise in store: He could bring dead people back to life.

If surprises that show love are the best treats, Jesus' surprise must have been mind-blowing. He showed He loved His friend Lazarus, who had died; He loved Lazarus' family, who missed him; and He loved the whole world, because the surprise of raising Lazarus from the dead proved Jesus came from heaven and could do anything!

(03/06/08)