Good Grief Part 3: Learning to Lament With JesusChikamu

LAMENT FOR A FRIEND

There is so much to discover in this chapter of John’s gospel. Jesus deliberately delays going to Lazarus’ sickbed. Why?

“for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” (John 11:15)

Jesus demonstrates once again that He has the power to do incredible signs and wonders, even raising someone from the dead! And this leads many to believe that He is the Messiah, but not everyone believes. This miracle spurs the religious leaders into their final plot to kill Him.

Jesus also clearly declares once again that He is God when He says to Martha,

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

But the center of this story is a sick friend. Lazarus, friend of Jesus. And Lazarus dies. He’s gone. His sisters have lost their brother. Jesus has lost his friend. And in that moment, when Jesus sees the tomb, He weeps. His heart breaks for the loss of someone He loved. His heart breaks because the sin and brokenness of this world have been condemning loved ones to death since Genesis 3. He weeps because when He created the world, He created it to live and thrive in abundant life. He didn’t create it to die. And while Jesus knows that He is going to raise Lazarus back to life, He weeps at the havoc sin has caused- beloved brothers, and beloved friends will continue to die. Lazarus will die again. Jesus himself will die. This grieves the heart of God.

But don’t forget the gospel. God has made a way. He has defeated death. Though Jesus died, He rose from that grave. And though you will die, and your loved one will die, you also can be raised to new life. Abundant, eternal life in the presence of your Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ask Yourself:

-Do I believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

-Even as I grieve, lament, and weep for this broken and dying world, who can I pray for that needs to know that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Pause to Pray: Jesus, your heart breaks to see the sorrow and death of your creation. Each person you made is meant to live an abundant life with you! Break my heart for what breaks yours, Jesus! Open my eyes to see the hurting and the tears of others. Give me boldness and compassion to share the hope of salvation in your name with them…

Take a Next Step: Set an alarm for 3 pm today and pray for 3 hurting loved ones for 3 minutes using John 11:25-26 and 1 Timothy 2:1-6.