Well, we're considering, in John 11, one of the most famous miracles of Jesus, "The Resurrection of Lazarus." And Mary and Martha are in grief, wondering why Jesus hasn't shown up, why he has let their brother die. And Martha says to Jesus:
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Again, there are so many helpful things in this passage that I want to alert you to. First is that conversation between Martha and Jesus, it's very interesting. Martha says what all of us would have said, "Jesus, where in the world were you?" Maybe you feel that way when you pray, "If you would just act, why aren't you acting?" Now, this is where the conversation gets interesting. Jesus declares to Martha what he is about to do, "Your brother will rise again." But that's not what Martha hears. What she hears, rather than a statement of his intention, Martha thinks he's making some rather distant, unhelpful theological statement about the final resurrection. Martha is not thinking about the final resurrection. Right now, she wants her brother back.
But that's not what Jesus is talking about. Jesus is saying something powerfully and profoundly more than "I will raise Lazarus up." He is declaring his divine identity as a Son of God on a redemptive mission, "I am the resurrection of life. I alone have the power to breathe life into dead bodies. I alone can give life that never ends. I am the only hope of the masses of people who are dead people walking because they're living dead in trespasses and sins. I am here on earth, Martha, because I am the center of God's life-giving redemptive mission!"
And then we have this amazing moment as Jesus enters into the grief of Mary and Martha, and the passage tells us that "Jesus wept." Standing in front of the closed tomb, knowing what he was about to do, Jesus still enters in to the suffering and grief and sadness of his loved ones. Here is your tenderhearted Redeemer, even though he knows what you don't know and sees what you don't see, hear what I'm about to say, "He never turns his back on your suffering and sadness. He never mocks your grief. He never tells you to get your act together." No, he meets you with tender grace. Your sadness touches your Savior's heart, and he does for you, in those moments, what you couldn't do for yourself.
I can't help but thinking when I read this passage that as Jesus asked for the stone to be rolled away, that he had to be reflecting on what was to come. His dead body would be placed in a similar tomb. A huge stone would be placed over the entranceway to that tomb. But like Lazarus, that tomb would not be able to keep him. His stone would be rolled away, and, in his resurrection, he would conquer death, demonstrating his power and willingness to give eternal life to all who believe. Now, come on now, is there anyone anywhere like Jesus?
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. How often have you found yourself in a position where you are asking God, "Where in the world are you? Why aren't you acting?" What has been your disposition and posture as you've asked those questions of God? How is Martha's disposition something that you can relate to? How, like Martha, might you be missing what Jesus actually says to you through his Word? Where might you be lacking the ears to hear him?
2. Why is Jesus still the center of God's life-giving redemptive mission? How does this fact impact your day-to-day living? Where is the gap between your daily lived experiences and Christ's life-giving redemptive work for you? What heart posture needs to change in order for that gap to narrow in your life?
3. How have you experienced Jesus' tenderhearted care for you in your moments of grief? Take a moment to intentionally and thoughtfully list any moments you can recall and take special note of the fact that Christ knows what you don't know and sees what you don't see in every aspect of your life.
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• Why do you think Jesus understands and can personally relate to you when you are sad and going through a difficult time?
• How can it help when someone understands our pain and sadness? How does it help you knowing that Jesus understands your pain and sadness?
For Older Children:
• Why is empathy such a great character quality in another person? When someone is empathetic (and not just sympathetic), how does it help to make a terrible situation better?
• Let's read John 11 together. Even though we may know this story already, how does Jesus' empathy toward Martha and Mary comfort you?
• How do you feel when you hear and begin to understand that Jesus never turns his back on your suffering and sadness, never mocks your grief, and never tells you to get your act together? How does Jesus' empathy toward you change your perception and perspective of him?
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