Worthy Brief - October 16, 2026

 Worthy Brief - October 16, 2026

When the treasure is greater than the tomb! 

John 11:25-26  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

John 11:43-44  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

In our last devotion, “When You Finally See What Matters Most,” we learned from the Pearl of Great Price how to recognize what truly matters. Today, I want to share what happened outside the tomb in Bethany. Lazarus shows us why the King is worth everything. The one at the grave is not just a wise teacher. He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Even the name in this story carries a promise. Lazarus comes from the Hebrew name Elazar (אֶלְעָזָר), which means “God has helped.” After four days in the tomb, it looked like help had come too late. But his name still proved true.

When Yeshua (Jesus) arrives, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. This matters because Jewish tradition said the soul stayed near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, hope was gone. Martha says, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Yeshua waited until all natural hope was gone so that no one could miss what was about to happen.

When Jesus tells Martha her brother will rise again, she responds with, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” She knew this promise well. Faithful Jews prayed the Amidah three times a day, blessing God as m’chayeh hametim (מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים), the One who gives life to the dead.

The prophets also spoke of this hope. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” (Daniel 12:2). That’s why Yeshua told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11). Isaiah also wrote, “Your dead shall live... Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust” (Isaiah 26:19).

Martha thought this would happen someday in the future. But Yeshua brings that hope into the present: “I am the resurrection and the life.” He does not say, “I can give resurrection.” He says, “I am the resurrection.” Resurrection is not just something Yeshua does; it is who He is. The hope Israel prayed for was now standing at the tomb in Bethany.

Then Yeshua says something surprising: “Take away the stone.” The people there have a part to play. They can’t bring Lazarus back to life, but they can move the stone. This is often how the Kingdom works. We do what we can, and the King does what only He can do.

Then Yeshua cries out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

The same voice that created the world spoke into the tomb, and death let go. The grave cannot keep what the King calls out.

This is why the Pearl is worth everything. The Kingdom is not just about better thinking, better morals, or spiritual comfort. The King has power over death itself. The treasure is greater than the tomb.

There is another important detail. Lazarus comes out alive, but he is still wrapped in grave clothes. So Yeshua says, “Loose him, and let him go.” Life has returned, but the signs of the grave still need to be removed, and the community is invited to help. When Yeshua rose later, Peter found the linen cloths lying there and the face cloth folded separately (John 20:6-7). Lazarus needed others to help him. Yeshua left His grave clothes behind because He is the Resurrection.

This is a strong picture of discipleship. The King gives life right away, and then the old wrappings come off: old thoughts, fears, habits, and labels. The grave has lost its power, and now we learn to live in the freedom of resurrection, often with help from others who support us as we leave the past behind.

Some parts of your life may feel closed off, as if they are sealed behind a stone. Maybe dreams feel buried, relationships seem broken, hope is covered by disappointment, or promises feel overdue. But the King is never late for His purpose. He knows where the tomb is and what is behind the stone, and His voice still reaches places no one else can.

You belong to the Resurrection and the Life. The Lord stands at every closed place in your life with power and love, and His voice has more authority than any grave. What once looked buried is rising to life again. So roll away the stone He shows you, lift your eyes to the King, and listen for His call. He is speaking life over you, calling you by name and releasing you to walk in the full freedom and joy of resurrection life!

Shabbat Shalom ... have a wonderful weekend worshipping the King -- we'll see you first thing Monday morning! 

George & Baht Rivka 

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