Scripture text for Friday, April 2nd, 2010: John 11:1-11:57
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Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. At some point we are all face incredible, and horrendous heartaches. We have all felt hopeless, lost, and forsaken. Sometimes it is a dying spouse, sometimes it is wayward children, sometimes it is just life…and it’s overwhelming.
Mary and Martha were in serious heartache. I am not sure things can get more hopeless than death. They knew their brother would rise in the resurrection at the last day (John 11:24), but that didn’t ease the incredible loss they were feeling at present.
I think it is interesting that even though Jesus knew Lazarus was sick, He still waited a few days before going to him. While it might seem harsh and uncaring, let’s remember that there were people in Jerusalem in hot pursuit of his life. And if Jesus is always perfectly in his Father’s will, and God did not allow him to go to Lazarus right away; think of the pain Jesus must have felt. We can all recognize the desire to be at the side of dying loved one. It’s true Jesus knew what He was going to do in the end, but I don’t think it diminished the turmoil of being parted from his beloved friend on his death bed. I mean, if anyone can give you peace about the afterlife in your last few moments, Jesus can!
“Jesus wept (John 11:35).” Jesus is near to the suffering, and the brokenhearted. No one’s pain is trivial or unimportant. Jesus doesn’t tell anyone to “suck it up.” He pours Himself out into those who are empty. He met with both Mary and Martha and shared in their sorrow, before he performed his miraculous wonder.
“… my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:5) Jesus is hope, he is the object in which we can place our hope. He can raise the dead! He has conquered death! There is nothing he can not do!
No matter your situation, no matter your feelings, no matter your mental or emotional or physical state, take heart! For He has overcome the world (John 16:33)! Seriously, what is left after that?
When you feel hopeless,forsaken, or lost remember that Christ promises He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 31:8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5), He is always with you (Matthew 28:20), Christ, our hope will not disappoint us (Romans 5:5), and He will leave no rock unturned until He has returned you to His fold (Luke 15).
Devotion prepared by Megan Mills