Conversations: Jesus and … Mary and Martha when Lazarus died
Please read John 11:17–44.
An account which is rich with emotional depth and powerful conversations with Jesus.
Mary and Martha’s grief:
Picture: the sorrow and grief of Mary and Martha as they mourn the loss of their brother and feel their desperation as they express their pain to Jesus.
Personal Reflection:
Do I bring my pain and sorrow of grief and loss to Jesus, trusting that he cares deeply about my struggles?
How can I support others in their times of grief?
Jesus’ compassion and humanity:
Imagine: Jesus’ compassionate response. He shows deep empathy for their suffering, weeping alongside Mary and Martha.
Personal Reflection:
Do I take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands my pain and walks with me through difficult times?
Faith amid despair:
Martha expresses her faith in Jesus, even in her despair, believing that God will give him whatever he asks. Jesus reassures her that her brother will rise again.
Personal Reflection:
Do I maintain faith in Jesus’ power and promises, even when faced with seemingly hopeless situations? How can I nurture a faith that trusts in Jesus’ timing and his ability to bring life out of death?
Jesus’ power over death:
Visualise: the moment Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb – the astonishment of the crowd, and the joy of seeing Lazarus alive again.
Jesus declares himself the resurrection and the life, demonstrating his authority by raising Lazarus from the dead.
Personal Reflection:
How does the hope of resurrection influence the way I live my life and face my own mortality?
The crowd’s response:
The witnesses of the miracle are amazed, and many come to believe in Jesus.
Personal Reflection:
How do I respond to the miraculous works of Jesus in my life and the lives of others?
Jesus’ conversations with Martha and Mary highlight the personal and relational nature of Jesus. He met them in their grief, challenged their understanding, and revealed himself as the source of life and resurrection. May I also be reminded that faith in Jesus transforms despair into hope and death into life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to you with a heart that sometimes struggles with grief, doubt, and fear. Help me to bring my sorrows and struggles to you, knowing that you deeply care and understand my pain. Thank you for being the resurrection and the life. Fill me with your compassion, so I can support and comfort others in their times of need. Give me the courage to share my experiences and the hope I have in you with those around me.
In your powerful name, I pray. Amen.
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