This Bible reading plan takes you through most of the Holy Scriptures each weekday of the year. Each day has three Bible readings:
You're welcome to read one, two, or all three of the readings every weekday. And if you fall behind, don't worry! You can either use the weekends to catch up or you can simply dive in to the reading for that day, even if you've missed a few days, weeks, or even months!
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11:1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “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.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus1 was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin,2 said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles3 off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.4 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved5 in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for6 Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
[1] 11:6
[2] 11:16
[3] 11:18
[4] 11:25
[5] 11:33
[6] 11:56
(ESV)
"And they lived happily ever after." I cannot tell you how many stories I have read that find their terminus in this line, especially in the children's books I share with my two nephews, Noah and Nicholas. And then, just in case we're confused as to whether or not the story is really over, many of these stories include a postscript: "The End." And usually, as I close the book, smiles break out on the faces of Noah and Nicholas and we all walk away with warm hearts. After all, who doesn't like a happy ending?
Unfortunately, endings in real life are not nearly as cheery as endings in children's books. In fact, come to think of it, I cannot recall a single real life ending that went completely "happily ever after." Sure, I've known many people who have generally happy marriages and families and households, but, inevitably, there are always bumps along the way. Nobody lives happily ever after, free from all worries and cares. Real life endings just don't work that way.
In our reading for today from John 11, we see what, at first glance, seems to be a possibility for an unheard of "happy ending." As the chapter opens, Jesus receives news that one of his closest and dearest friends, a man named Lazarus, is sick. And the prognosis is not good. The disease is terminal. But even after learning of Lazarus' desperate plight, Jesus assures his followers, "This sickness will not end in death" (verse 4). Now, after hearing this kind of astounding promise from Jesus, we may be tempted to write for ourselves what is sure to be a truly happy ending. A terminally ill patient. A miraculous healing. And everyone lives happily after.
But not so fast. Because shortly after Jesus makes his pronouncement that Lazarus will cheat his fatal infirmity, we receive the devastating headline: "Lazarus is dead" (verse 14). And the ending of this story quickly melts from happy to miserable. Indeed, even the verbs of this story key us into its anguished nature: "weeping," "deeply moved," "troubled" (verse 33). Clearly, this is no happy ending.
But perhaps even more unsettling than this story's sad state is Jesus' seemingly failed promise to offer a very happy ending. "This sickness will not end in death," Jesus promises. But it did end in death! Lazarus died! Has Jesus made a false promise? Has Jesus given false hope? No! Because even though Lazarus has died, the story has not yet ended. Lazarus' sickness has not ended in death because Lazarus' story is not over yet. For Jesus makes his way to Lazarus' tomb, now rancid with odor from his decaying corpse, and commands, "Lazarus, come out" (verse 43)! And Lazarus does. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. And they all live - happily ever after?
As much as I would like to think that Lazarus and his family lived happily ever after, I know better. I'm sure there were family fights and quarrels and challenges after this momentous miracle. Indeed, by the very next chapter, people are plotting to take Lazarus' life (cf. John 12:9-11). And finally, whether it be by the hands of assassins or by means of more "natural causes," Lazarus did eventually die again. And so, as happy as this story may seem for the moment, it still does not give us our allusive "happily ever after ending."
Where, then, is a "happy ending" to be found? In a world where nobody lives "happily ever after," is there any hope for a lasting joy? Yes. For, in the midst of Lazarus' death, Jesus reminds one of Lazarus' sisters named Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (verses 25-26). Jesus says, "There is a happy ending to be had. But it's not to be had on this earth. You will die. But when you believe in me, you will live, even though you die. Indeed, you will never die. Here is your happy ending. You will never die."
In these verses, Jesus reminds us that life on this earth never ends happily. Because life on this earth always ends with a funeral. But even though a casket and tears mark the end of life on this earth, Jesus promises that the end of life on this earth is not the end of life itself. For a new life awaits us: a life eternal with Jesus. A life that will never end. For Jesus is our resurrection and our eternal life. Now, the question becomes, "Do you believe this" (verse 26)? Do you believe that Jesus can and will give you a life that never ends? Because if you do, then this promise is for you: Even though you die, you will live. And you will live happily ever after. The (but the whole point is your life won't) End.
60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,1
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you;
the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
they shall come up with acceptance on my altar,
and I will beautify my beautiful house.
8 Who are these that fly like a cloud,
and like doves to their windows?
9 For the coastlands shall hope for me,
the ships of Tarshish first,
to bring your children from afar,
their silver and gold with them,
for the name of the LORD your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel,
because he has made you beautiful.
10 Foreigners shall build up your walls,
and their kings shall minister to you;
for in my wrath I struck you,
but in my favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Your gates shall be open continually;
day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
with their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom
that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
the cypress, the plane, and the pine,
to beautify the place of my sanctuary,
and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons of those who afflicted you
shall come bending low to you,
and all who despised you
shall bow down at your feet;
they shall call you the City of the LORD,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
with no one passing through,
I will make you majestic forever,
a joy from age to age.
16 You shall suck the milk of nations;
you shall nurse at the breast of kings;
and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior
and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
and instead of iron I will bring silver;
instead of wood, bronze,
instead of stones, iron.
I will make your overseers peace
and your taskmasters righteousness.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
devastation or destruction within your borders;
you shall call your walls Salvation,
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;2
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.3
20 Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.
21 Your people shall all be righteous;
they shall possess the land forever,
the branch of my planting, the work of my hands,
that I might be glorified.4
22 The least one shall become a clan,
and the smallest one a mighty nation;
I am the LORD;
in its time I will hasten it.
[1] 60:5
[2] 60:19
[3] 60:19
[4] 60:21
(ESV)
The opening verses of Isaiah 60 have served as a familiar Advent refrain for centuries. The incarnation of Christ is the fulfillment of these words of prophecy, as Jesus said: "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12) It is in Jesus Christ that God has called His people out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The people of God will be a city on a hill (Matthew 5: 14) and all the nations will come to them. Delighted to share in the blessings of the Messiah, the nations will come bearing gifts. The initial fulfillment of these verses can be found in the gifts brought by the magi to the Christ child. Once again, we can see multiple fulfillments of Isaiah's words beginning with Israel's return from captivity, on to the Incarnation, and even further to the return of Christ. Only when all of them are considered together does the fullness of the prophet's words appear. The depiction of Jerusalem rebuilt is a prefiguring of the heavenly Jerusalem and John echoes Isaiah's words in the book of Revelation. "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." (Revelation 22:5) No earthly restoration of Israel could possibly complete Isaiah's prophecy. Only the heavenly city and the joys of eternity match the predictions made in this chapter. Thus, even as Isaiah offers hope the captives in Babylon these words are intended to offer hope to people all over the world who are trapped in sin and longing to be set free.
50:1 The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;1
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.
4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah
[1] 50:3
(ESV)