Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany.  So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. (John 11:1, 3, 5, 17, 21, 32-35)

The story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus paints a vivid picture of human expectations meeting divine intervention. Here, two sisters are grappling with the severe illness of their brother, Lazarus, and they send word to Jesus, their close friend, hoping for a swift response.

But Jesus doesn't rush. He doesn't come immediately. He waits. From a human perspective, this delay can be seen as a disappointment, even more so considering the depth of friendship Jesus shared with this family. Martha and Mary might have thought, "If He loves us so much, why didn't He come right away?"

Yet, even amidst potential disappointment, Martha's faith shines through. When she meets Jesus, her words are both poignant and filled with belief: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (v22).

Mary's grief is palpable, and when she falls at Jesus' feet, it's a profound gesture of respect and trust, even in the midst of sorrow.

The depth of Jesus' love for this family is unmistakably evident when He is "deeply moved in spirit and troubled." He weeps. It's a powerful testament to His human connection, His empathy, and His profound love for His friends.

This story beautifully transitions into our own lives. Just like Martha and Mary, we may have expectations of Jesus. And sometimes, His ways might not align with our timing or desires. But the story reminds us of a few truths:

1. Jesus is with us in our moments of grief and disappointment.
2. He is deeply touched by our pain. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
3. His love for us goes beyond mere obligation; He genuinely likes us, values our companionship, and considers us His own.

So, when facing life's challenges, let's remember that Jesus, who wept with Mary and Martha, is the same Jesus who walks beside us today. His love for us is boundless, and His plans, though sometimes different from our expectations, are always perfect.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in moments of disappointment and sorrow, remind me of Your unwavering love and presence. Help me to trust in Your timing and Your plans, even when they differ from mine. Thank you for being deeply moved by my struggles and for always being there, as both a friend and Savior. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you recall a time when God's response to your situation was different from your expectations? How did you navigate that experience?

2. How does understanding Jesus' deep empathy and love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus provide comfort in your personal challenges?

3. What practices can help reinforce your trust in Jesus' plans, especially during times of uncertainty or disappointment?

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The song Blessings by Laura Story goes nicely with this devotion.

Watch: You Love Me, You Like Me, and I am Yours