I’ve always enjoyed the story of Jesus’ raising His friend, Lazarus, from the dead. There’s something in this remarkable story, however, that caught my attention recently: the reactions of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha.
When Jesus finally arrives in the town of Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Jesus had just entered the town when Martha runs out to meet Him. She tells Him that Lazarus would still be alive if only He had been there. When Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again, she thinks He means he’ll rise on the last day.
Jesus replies, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, NKJV).
Martha replies, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who is come into the world” (verse 27).
Soon after, Martha’s sister, Mary, comes out to see Jesus and, weeping, falls at His feet. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
So, what is it about these two sisters’ reactions that is so interesting?
Bring It To Jesus
Both sisters told Jesus that Lazarus wouldn’t have died if He had only been there. I’m sure both were confused, angry, and maybe even hurt by the fact that Jesus didn’t save His friend from dying. But what did these ladies do anyway?
They came to Jesus.
They ran out to meet Him and talk to Him.
In fact, Mary got up to meet Jesus so quickly that the other mourners at their house thought she was going to weep at Lazarus’ tomb.
The Bible doesn’t say that they were visibly outraged with Jesus or refused to see or speak to Him. We instead see these women rushing to get to Him as soon as they heard He had arrived (see John 11:20, 29).
Whenever something painful or devastating happens in your life, don’t push God away. Don’t refuse to talk to Him or blame Him for everything that’s gone wrong. Instead, bring all your pain, anger, confusion, and fears to Him and place it at His feet in complete surrender. Our sovereign and loving Father is full of joy, peace, and hope that He longs to give us. He truly desires to come alongside us and help us in our struggles.
Acquainted With Grief
Isaiah 53:3 calls Jesus “despised and rejected by man, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (NKJV).
Hebrews 4:15-16 is such a wonderful passage: “For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Even when Jesus was about to bring Lazarus back to life, He cried because He embraced His and His friends’ sorrow (see John 11:33-36).
He fully knows and understands your every feeling and emotion. Furthermore, He can comfort and help you through them if you will let Him.
Conclusion
Friends, God loves you – yes, you! – so much. He desires to have a relationship with you not just on your happy, sunshiny days, but also in those difficult stormy and rainy days.
Whatever you’re struggling with today, I encourage you to bring it to the feet of Jesus. Bring it to your Friend and Comforter Who is near to the broken-hearted and cast all your cares upon Him.
Let’s do it together.
-Olivia
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