Scripture:

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’  Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’

 

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go’.” John 11:33-44 (ESV)

Perspective:

Jesus waited an additional two days before he traveled to Bethany to visit Lazarus. When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already passed away, and Jesus was too late to do anything for the grieving sisters. Their brother was in the grave and the opportunity for Jesus to intervene had passed. Mary’s last words to Jesus were “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). These words would have weighed heavy upon those listening. The people around her were also pointing their finger at this man who had healed the blind man and not understanding why he didn’t do something for Lazarus. The undertone of their conversation questioned Jesus’ care and concern for Lazarus and his family. However, Jesus’ heart broke for these people and their loss. He didn’t say he cared; he showed it through his own grief. Lazarus was a friend; Mary and Martha were friends. Jesus knew all along that Lazarus would die before he arrived, but he also understood how God would use this moment as an opportunity to reveal Jesus’ identity to the people. Death had the final say until Jesus showed up. When Jesus arrived, death no longer dictated the outcome of this situation. Yet, Martha wanted to caution Jesus to not roll the stone away, but Jesus wanted to use this moment to roll the stone away in the people’s hearts. When every other treatment had proven unsuccessful and the stone over the tomb showed the finality of the situation, Jesus began to undo that which couldn’t be changed.  He not only cared for these people; He helped them in their moment of greatest need.

 

Does Jesus care? This issue can cause us to question God when we are facing difficulty. Does He care when you are facing and loss and not knowing where to go? We, like Mary and Martha, know Jesus is the answer, but how do we reconcile His care for us when we are broken? This story shows us that Jesus was the answer, but He also cared about the heartache of Mary and Martha. He didn’t come with fanfare; his heart broke and tears welled up within him over their loss. As you face your moment of need, Jesus is near. He isn’t untouched by your heartache and pain. Psalm 34:18 (ESV) says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” He is holding you when you don’t have the strength to stand. He is sustaining you when despair beckons you to give up. If you are wondering if God cares about you, you don’t have to wonder any longer. Jesus cared so much for Mary and Martha that he came and mourned with them. Then, He provided a divine reversal of their situation. If you question God’s care, look for his handiwork in your life. You will begin to see that He not only cares, but that He loves you so much that He walks with you through every trial and situation you face. 

 

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

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