Final Word-13

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick.
The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God's Son may be glorified by it.” (John 11:1-4)

Mary and Martha must have heaved a sigh of relief when they heard Jesus say, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God's Son may be glorified by it.”
But then very soon they were disappointed, dejected and dismayed because their brother died contrary to Jesus' prophecy. Was Jesus really their friend? must have been a thought that troubled the sisters those days. The same thought troubles believers when they pass through problems of many kinds. If he is truly a friend who cares, why does he seem aloof sometimes? If he is indeed Savior, where is he when I need him desperately?
The thoughts can range from sorrow to anger depending on the severity of the trial.

When Jesus finally came to Bethany where Mary and Martha lived, Lazarus had already died and been kept in the tomb for 4 days. Everyone around was mourning.
Martha and Mary expressed their deep anguish by telling Jesus that if he had been there at the appropriate time, their brother would not have died.

John the Apostle writes,
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)

Yes... Jesus is very compassionate. He weeps with you when you weep. He is troubled when you are troubled.
He is always interceding for you in the presence of our heavenly Father.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He turned the mourning of Mary and Martha in to dancing. They were clothed with joy from on high. This day and every day that we live on earth, we have hope because Jesus lives to intercede for us.

He will turn your mourning in to dancing. He will remove your sackcloth and clothe you with joy. Praise God.

Dr. Johnson Cherian
www.johnsoncherian.com