The Standard December 14, 2024
This year one of my close friends lost both of her parents within a few months. The father of a best friend died last Christmas Day. We each know a number of people who are grieving the losses of children, spouses, parents, family and friends or are grieving ourselves. Certainly, the holidays can stand out painfully as some of the most difficult times.
In John chapter 11 we see that Jesus feels deeply and empathizes with the devastation of the death of a loved one. “Now a man named Lazarus was sick.” “So, the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’ When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son many be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” John 11:1, 2-5
Upon hearing of the illness, Jesus decided to stay where he was. A few days later he told his disciples that Lazarus had died and that he was glad he was not there, so that they might believe. They went to Bethany, the town of Lazarus and his sisters, which was less than two miles from Jerusalem.
Mary went out to talk to Jesus and expressed that her brother would not have died if Jesus had been there. She said, however, that she knew God would give him whatever he asked. “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’” John 11:23-26a
After this interaction, Martha went to tell her sister that the Lord was asking for her. “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.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied. Jesus wept. Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ‘Take away the stone,’ he said. ‘But, Lord,’ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ‘by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ So, they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” John 11:32-44a
It might seem almost astonishing that Jesus felt so deeply troubled and wept with loved ones, all while knowing he would raise Lazarus from the dead in a matter of minutes. Being aware of the miraculous, sudden turn from grief to sheer joy that was coming, Jesus still understood the gut-wrenching pain and emptiness at a level that only death can bring.
Although we might struggle to feel joy this Christmas season, we acknowledge the pain that is ours is not shared by those who have gone on to be with God. It is perfectly normal to feel a tremendous void while missing the ones whom we loved so dearly. God understands.
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