John 11:17-32

“When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” vs. 32

When Jesus came to Bethany each of the sisters, first Mary, and then Mary, greeted him in the same way, acknowledging him as Lord, but also implying that he could have kept their brother from dying. We’re familiar with such reactions, especially among those who have been long-time believers. Even when we know that so-called “dread diseases” are likely to have ugly consequences, we almost always keep on praying for our loved ones to return to health. And many also believe that positive outcomes are directly related to the strength of our faith.

So when death does come to those loved ones for whom we’ve been praying so hard, it’s not unusual to feel a bit let down by Jesus. Even when recovery is against the odds, we can’t help thinking that Jesus could have done just a little more. It isn’t that we lose our faith. Let’s just say that like Mary and Martha, we’re disappointed. 

John tells us that it broke Jesus’ heart to see the sisters weeping, and that he himself began to cry. We do not have a cold-hearted Lord. That’s just not a part of God’s nature. And when our hearts ache in the presence of death, it’s important to remember that we are loved deeply, and one day we will all live again.

Thought for the Day: What comforts me in the presence of death?