Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
John 11:19-40 (NIV)
19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 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. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then 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 have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Who or what is behind the pain/sorrow that each one in these texts suffers?
Who hears each one’s pain and overcomes it?
Lord, one of the greatest pains in this life is grieving the loss of a loved one. No matter what the circumstances, no one is prepared for the sadness and emptiness that grips the heart so tight that it makes it hard to even breathe. You knew that pain as You wept for Lazarus and as You grieved with Mary and Martha. I understand that death is a necessary part of the cycle of this life but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Thank You for the people who I have had the opportunity to love during my time on this earth. Thank You that You died and rose from the dead to forgive my sins so that all who believe in You will not only rise again but will live with You for eternity. You are the resurrection and the life and all who have faith in You will be reunited in the place that You have prepared for us. There is hope, anticipation, and joy in that promise. Although I miss my loved ones now, I know that our separation is temporary because of Your grace and great love. Lord, hold all who are walking through a time of grieving right now, let them feel Your presence and give them Your sense of comfort and peace. Amen.