March 24 Comfort

John 11:30-34 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
 
WE continue to learn from Mary. In her grief she goes to receive Jesus and seek his solace. Humbly, she falls at his feet to lament and confess, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Once at his feet to learn, Mary is now at Jesus’ feet desiring the Lord’s comfort. This is faith as Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. It is good to seek, receive and praise God for his comfort.
    Jesus then acts into his purpose to raise Lazarus. Remember, he had said to his disciples: John 11:15 “And for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” Jesus is preparing them for ministry without him. The Twelve are watching Jesus’ compassion and power at work. When the disciples see the sisters’ and mourners’ grief, perhaps they, too, are wondering of Jesus, “Why did you wait, Lord?”
    Their answer will come as they again learn the answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) As they witness Jesus ignite God’s life power into his world, the disciples will more faithfully confess, “My Lord and my God.” (Matthew 16:16)
     Through Lazarus’ resurrection, they will know more personally that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. They will see he is the Good Shepherd, who leads his people into the green pastures of true faith. The light of the world will invade death’s darkness. Living water will flow into Bethany to prepare for the day it will soon disperse throughout the earth. Jesus will demonstrate God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
    Through the Scriptures, the Lord has shown us who he is. Will you get up and go to him, humble to confess, “My Lord and my God.”
 
Prayer: Lord God, I see your mercy, comfort and peace. I see your resurrection power. I believe your power is alive in me. May I be comforting, merciful and loving to people who need to know you. Amen.