Reflecting God - The Global Church of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States – Embrace Holy Living - Good Grief by Sean Carr - John 11:28-37

Reflecting God - The Global Church of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States – Embrace Holy Living - Good Grief by Sean Carr - John 11:28-37

"Good Grief" by Sean Carr - John 11:28-3728 After saying this, she went off and secretly called Miryam, her sister: “The Rabbi is here and is calling for you.” 29 When she heard this, she jumped up and went to him. 30 Yeshua had not yet come into the village but was still where Marta had met him; 31 so when the Judeans who had been with Miryam in the house comforting her saw her get up quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Miryam came to where Yeshua was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Yeshua saw her crying, and also the Judeans who came with her crying, he was deeply moved and also troubled. 34 He said, “Where have you buried him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Yeshua cried; 36 so the Judeans there said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “He opened the blind man’s eyes. Couldn’t he have kept this one from dying?” !aa!(Complete Jewish Bible)
***
Sometimes we rush right past sections of Scripture without really considering the meaning of the text. Jesus is recorded in other places as being indignant, angry, filled with compassion, but here He weeps. The text says he was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (v. 33).
This kind of grief touches the deepest part of a person. It is expressed when a husband loses his wife or a wife her husband. This is experienced when life-altering change breaks your world. Many of those who were at the tomb with Martha and Mary were not personally impacted by the death of Lazarus. Some may have even been professional mourners who did it all as a well-intentioned, but impersonal service. When confronted with the genuine, spirit groaning grief of Jesus, they knew He was not putting on a show. “See how He loved him!” they said (v. 36).
Jesus knew what was to come. He knew the Father’s plan in the death of Lazarus was to show Jesus as having authority over death and the grave. Jesus was still moved by the moment. He felt the sorrow and "groaned" His grief.
Hymn for Today: "Does Jesus Care?" by Frank Graeff.
1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
3 Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Thought for Today: They will be neither hungry nor thirsty;
neither scorching wind nor sun will strike them;
for he who has mercy on them will lead them
and guide them to springs of water.(Isaiah 49:10)(Complete Jewish Bible).

Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Papua New Guinea.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now***