SCRIPTURE:
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
REFLECTION: (written by Dave Newton)
Most of you know the story of Lazarus. Word had come to Jesus that his friend Lazarus had become very sick. After waiting to go to him, Jesus arrived after Lazarus had already died and had been buried four days earlier. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, having heard that Jesus was on his way, went to meet Him, fell at His feet, and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). This shows her disappointment in His choice not to come. Mary arrived shortly thereafter saying the same thing (John 11:32). Scripture then says in verse 33, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”
Some might say they think Jesus wept because His friend was dead. Since Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus, that doesn’t make sense. Maybe He wept in sympathy for Mary and Martha, feeling their loss. Perhaps Jesus wept for the community due to the lack of faith. I heard someone suggest that maybe Jesus wept for Lazarus as He knew He was bringing him back from a much better place, only to have to suffer and die again at some point.
Whatever the reason, Jesus was moved by compassion for those around Him. He sees and knows your pain, loss, uncertainty, hopes, and dreams. In Jesus, we have hope and a future. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
“Do you believe this?” – This is His question. Through scripture we see Him raise Lazurus from the dead. In fact, we see Him raise others in scripture. Finally, we see Jesus Himself raised from the dead, conquering death, hell, and the grave. This Lent season leads us to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and His question still stands . . .
Do you believe this?
RESPOND:
- What’s your response . . . Do you believe this?
- How does compassion shine through Jesus in this story?
- How does the compassion of Jesus shine through you, in your story?
PRAYER: Written by Mike Mull
Lord Jesus, I know that you are the resurrection and the life. I choose to believe. I do believe; help my unbelief.
