Key Thought

I don't know about you, but I am truly blessed by the displays of the Lord's emotions in the Gospels. To know he was tired, hungry, and thirsty is reassuring, but then those are bodily needs. To know that he grew angry, was frustrated, felt sorrow, and even was indignant gives me great comfort. I know I don't always use those emotions righteously, but it is nice to know that he had them. In this case, I love the power of the moment where Jesus is indignant with the power of death and sorrowful at the grief involved in Lazarus' death. That's where I am a lot at funerals: mad at the devil and his awful tool (death), and broken-hearted for those who have lost their loved one. Jesus loves us. Jesus hates death. Thank God he defeated death and will one day set it aside forever!

Today's Prayer

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Thank you, God, for a Savior who has been here and felt pain, suffered grief, and experienced anger. Thank you for the promise that lies behind a Savior who "ruined" every funeral I find in the Gospels by raising the dead person back to life. I trust that in my sorrow, his promise will sustain me and those who have lost the one they love. In Jesus' conquering name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus arrived in Bethany. Jesus found that Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days. Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary. They came to comfort them about their brother {Lazarus}. Martha heard that Jesus was coming. She went out to greet Jesus. But Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask." Jesus said, "Your brother will rise and be alive again." Martha answered, "I know that he will rise to live again when people are resurrected (raised from death) on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection. I am life. The person that believes in me will have life {again} after he dies. And the person that lives and believes in me will never really die. Martha, do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the One that was coming to the world." After Martha said these things, she went back to her sister Mary. Martha talked to Mary alone. Martha said, "The Teacher (Jesus) is here. He is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she stood up and went quickly to Jesus. Jesus had not yet come into the village. He was still at the place where Martha met him. The Jews who had come were with Mary in the house. They were comforting her. They saw Mary stand and leave quickly. They thought that she was going to the tomb {of Lazarus}. They thought she was going there to cry. So they followed her. Mary went to the place where Jesus was. When she saw Jesus, she bowed at his feet. Mary said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus saw that Mary was crying. Jesus saw the Jews that came with her. They were crying too. Jesus felt very upset. He was deeply troubled. Jesus asked, "Where did you put him (Lazarus)?" They said, "Lord, come and see." Jesus cried. And the Jews said, "Look! Jesus loved Lazarus verymuch!" But some of these Jews said, "Jesus healed the eyes of the blind man. Why didn't Jesus help Lazarus and stop him from dying?"

— John 11:17-37 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.