Scripture of the Day
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Reflection
When Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, Martha warned Jesus: "Lord, there is already a bad smell." Death has a smell. So does defeat, despair, addiction, broken relationship, and lost hope. There are seasons of life where the dominant scent is decay -- and no amount of optimism can cover it.
But Jesus walked toward the smell. He did not hold His breath or stand at a sanitary distance. He stood before the tomb that reeked of finality and spoke into it: "Lazarus, come out." And the one who smelled like death walked out smelling like a miracle.
This is the movement of the gospel in every life it touches. Christ does not require you to clean yourself up before He approaches. He walks toward the worst smell in your story and speaks resurrection into it. The dinner in Bethany was possible only because Jesus had first walked toward what everyone else was walking away from.
Whatever in your life currently carries the smell of death -- bring it to Him. Not after it improves. Now.
Question for Personal Reflection
What situation in your life or in someone close to you currently feels like it is beyond recovery?
Action Step
Pray specifically over that situation today -- not a vague prayer, but a Lazarus prayer. Call it by name and ask Jesus to walk toward it.
Prayer
Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. You walked toward Lazarus when everyone else had given up, and You walk toward me the same way. I name before You now the thing in my life that smells like death. Speak into it. Roll away the stone. Let Your resurrection power do what no human effort can accomplish. Amen.
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