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John 11:28-44
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?” So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father,* I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice,* “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace of unwavering faith: Ask for the strength to maintain your faith in Jesus, even when faced with seemingly impossible situations or overwhelming challenges. Pray for the ability to trust in His power and love, even in the darkest moments.
Love’s Resurrection Power
Key Themes:
- Jesus’ Profound Empathy: This passage reveals the depth of Jesus’ compassion. He is not merely a miracle worker but one who shares in our sorrow. His tears for Lazarus underscore His intimate connection with human suffering, offering comfort and solace to all who grieve.
- The Power of Belief: Even amidst their mourning, Martha and Mary express their faith in Jesus’ ability to act. This faith, though tested, is essential for witnessing the miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection. It reminds us that even in the face of death, belief in Jesus opens the door to the impossible.
- Jesus’ Divine Authority: Jesus’ command for Lazarus to come forth demonstrates His authority over death. This act not only restores Lazarus to life but also serves as a powerful testament to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, sent to bring life to the world.
Reflection:
This poignant narrative in John’s Gospel invites us to witness the transformative power of Jesus’ love. It speaks to the heart of our human experience, acknowledging the pain of loss and the longing for hope. Jesus’ tears, a profound expression of His empathy, assure us that He is intimately acquainted with our sorrow and offers us His comforting presence.
The faith of Martha and Mary, even in their grief, is a testament to the enduring power of belief. They recognize Jesus’ authority and hold onto the hope that He can act, even when faced with the seemingly insurmountable reality of death. Their faith, though challenged, opens the way for the miraculous.
Jesus’ command, “Lazarus, come out!” echoes with divine authority. It is a declaration of His power over death, a power that He extends to all who believe in Him. This act of resurrection is not only a physical restoration but also a spiritual awakening, pointing to the eternal life that Jesus offers.
Inspirational Message:
This passage inspires us to:
- Find comfort in Jesus’ empathy: In times of sorrow, remember that Jesus weeps with us. He understands our pain and offers His comforting presence.
- Hold onto faith even in darkness: Like Martha and Mary, let us cling to our belief in Jesus, even when circumstances seem hopeless. Faith opens the door to the miraculous.
- Recognize Jesus’ divine authority: Jesus has power over death and offers eternal life to those who believe. Let us trust in His promises and find hope in His resurrection power.
- Embrace the gift of life: Lazarus’s resurrection is a reminder of the precious gift of life. Let us live each day with gratitude and purpose, sharing the love and hope that Jesus offers.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Witnessing His Humanity: Though divine, Jesus also reveals His humanity in this passage. He is moved by the grief of those around Him and weeps openly. This display of vulnerability allows you to connect with Him on a human level, fostering a sense of closeness and understanding.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post