Grave Clothes Part 1

John 11:1 – 44

Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus……can you imagine the scene? We have the benefit of knowing the end of the story but imagine being there, “knowing” death is the end. The story is over. Four days in the tomb…there is no doubt that Lazarus is gone.  Lazarus’ family and friends are gathered. I can hear the heartbroken cries of his sisters and the mourners. The reactions are expected and justified. A life is over, and hearts are broken.

Then Jesus shows up. He is too late to make a difference. The people start to whisper, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” “He was so young!” “His poor sisters, now what are they going to do?” “Jesus can heal strangers, but not his friend??” “Why, God, why?” 

Can you relate? Have you ever put your hope in God to come through only to seemingly be disappointed? You imagine God will come through one way – It is OBVIOUS how God will help. He will heal my friend….He will save the job….He will ……you can fill in the blank. You know God is good and that He can do it. He can do anything! But the unthinkable happens….my friend doesn’t get better. The job is lost. Our emotions betray our doubts. Where do we go from here?

In our story, Jesus understands the questions and pain of His friends. He listens and He cries. He is there for you too – ready to listen to your doubts, your questions, your disappointment. He doesn’t react with anger or condemnation but with compassion and concern. God is moved by our pain. He is not far away and out of touch, but He close to the brokenhearted. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

As we read John 11, we have the benefit of hindsight. We know the end of the story. Jesus knew there was a greater purpose in Lazarus’s death that Mary, Martha, and their friends could not see. But that did not change His reaction to their pain. Many of our stories are not finished yet. We don’t see the ending and the purpose that God has in mind. But in the wondering, confusion and disappointment, God is there, and He cares. He loves you and me, and we can trust that His purpose is good and bigger than what we can see. 

Take your cares, big and small, to God today. He is there ready to listen and show you His love and compassion. He knows the end of your story and the purpose of your pain. And like Lazarus, as a child of God the end of your story is good! God brings resurrection power into our situations to bring life out of death and hope out of pain. 

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3