17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 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. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”35 Jesus wept.
Meditation:
- What stands out and draws your attention in this passage? The deep love of the two sisters for their brother? Their grief? Jesus’ weeping?
- Mary said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here…”. Have you also had similar thought? What was your complaint or accusation of the Lord?
- Have you felt lonely and burdened lately? Sing or read the words as your prayer:
WHEN I CRY by Marshall Hall and Ben Gaither: www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0JFFJ1NU
Makin’ a list of all of the good things You’ve done for me
Lord, I’ve never been one to complain
But right now I’m lost and I can’t find my way
My world’s come apart and it’s breakin’ my heart
But it helps to know Your heart is breakin’ too
When I cry, You cry; When I hurt, You hurt
When I’ve lost someone, It takes a piece of You, too
And when I fall on my face, You fill me with grace
‘Cause nothin’ breaks Your heart, Or tears You apart, Like when I cry
Alone in the dark, face in my hands, crying out to You
Lord, there’s never been a time in my life
There’s so much at stake, there’s so much to lose
But I trust it to You
You’ll bring me through
And it helps me to know that I’m not alone
Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: (The 7th sign of Jesus in John’s Gospel is recorded in this chapter) Listen and learn this song “When I Cry” together. Talk about feelings each have after listening or singing this song and what comfort and encouragement we can draw from God.
Prayer & Journaling: On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Proverbs for Today 10:26-28
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.