40 Days of MiraclesSample

Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead in Bethany

Mary and Martha already knew that Jesus was who He said He was. They'd seen His many miracles radically change lives in front of their own eyes. From that place of belief and relationship, these sisters had asked Jesus for His help to heal their brother. Yet, Jesus intentionally waited long enough for Lazarus to die before coming to them. "If only you had been here..." Mary says. Even knowing that He was about to bring Lazarus back to life, Jesus is deeply moved to tears by Lazarus' death and the raw sadness of the sisters and the many gathered. He took time to sit with them in their mourning and to cry with them in their process. To Jesus, it was as important for Him to be right there with them in their current despair as it was to bring their brother back to life miraculously. And because of Jesus' timing, many more people followed Mary and Martha to the tomb. Because of His timing, many more were able to see and believe in the miraculous truth of Jesus.

Questions for Reflection

• How do you feel about Jesus' decision to delay this miracle?
• What does this story reveal to you about Jesus and His relationships?
• Knowing Jesus wants to be near to the brokenhearted, what is an "if only you'd been there" moment that you need to revisit with Jesus?