Why Not Now: Repairing My Relationship with Family - Wednesday
John 11:33
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. (NIV)
What if John 11:33-36 were not recorded in Scripture? What mistaken conclusions would we be tempted to make about God?
Sometimes we are tempted to think that God does not care. We wrongly apply the knowledge of God's sovereignty. We think: if God has designated these events for our good, we cannot let them bother us. Just keep your chin up and be emotionally unavailable, because everything is going to turn out for God's glory. This way of thinking is flawed application and often we project our own coldness onto God himself.
Basically, that is not at all the God the Bible presents. From the earliest pages, we read of a God who is emotionally involved in every part of history and that he cares deeply about his created beings. Here in the story of Lazarus, the fact that Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen does not keep Him from reacting emotionally to the facts of death and pain. Jesus knows He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead but that does not make Him cold to the realities involved. He is no heartless king!
Sin is awful and death is terrible. John tells us that Jesus was deeply moved, greatly troubled, and that he wept. John 11:35 may be the shortest verse in the Bible but it’s stuffed to the brim with meaning. No one knows better than Jesus what is going to happen, yet no one is better at mourning with those who mourn. Wow!
The Jesus we meet in the Bible must be seen as the one who loves AND the only one able to help. We serve a King who weeps with us, don’t ever remove that fact. Jesus is always big enough to handle whatever we throw at Him and He alone can do something about it…if we allow Him to.
Wednesday’s Reflection
What negative emotion is God offering to take from you today? Is it disappointment or frustration? Do you feel helpless or inadequate? Are you overwhelmed, lonely, bitter, or let down?
