There is hope in grief, there is assurance in loss, and there is glory in the pain we go through…Although, all too often it’s hard to see the beauty that lies beyond our current brokenness. Mary and Martha had just lost a brother, and they were entering into the tougher stages of grief from that loss. A few days had gone by, and the questions of their hearts began to make their way to the surface, especially now, as Jesus enters the scene. I can’t help but notice how natural and human Martha’s reaction is as she goes out to meet Jesus as he approached: “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (11:21). This sounds a lot like what we might say… perhaps, you have felt this way in a difficult time? Maybe you’ve not said these things explicitly, but you’ve thought or felt these emotions in your heart: “Where were you God, when my loved one died? Where were you when I needed you? You came too late. Where were you when I was struggling in my marriage? Where were you when my father left? Where were you when I was struggling with addiction? Where were you when I was let go from my job? Where were you when we struggled to get by? Where were you when my children walked away?” There is a long list of questions we may raise to God when our feelings and emotions have been struck with pain. Though this is not a place we always want to live in with our feelings, questions, and doubts, it is still important that we bring these before the Lord. These are not feelings and emotions to silence in the appropriate times. In fact, the way that Jesus responds to Martha shows us just how gracious and merciful the heart of our Savior is amidst these moments in our lives. Jesus doesn’t snap quickly with a rebuke or correction toward Martha, instead he comforts Martha and assures her that her brother will rise again!
Rather than viewing our questions in time of pain and struggle as the faltering of our faith, and respond with suppressing those feelings, we can be can be encouraged by Christ to get those feelings and intense emotions off of our chest, casting them on the one who not only cares for them, but can carry them and will comfort us! Don’t be afraid that your feelings and questions seem wrong, for they are only wrong when we bottle them up and don’t bring them before the one who can make them right. Jesus did not brush Mary and Martha’s feelings to the wayside, instead he felt with them and for them. He offered them the greatest words of comfort and compassion but was also there to be that comfort and compassion.
“Jesus wept.” He entered into their sorrow and pain with them. What I love about this encounter is that we not only see Jesus as a Lord who can be approached with the human questions and doubt we experience in painful circumstance, but we see Jesus as someone who weeps with us. Though God is to be revered and given all honor, he is not simply stoic and unconcerned. He promises comfort for the mourning (Matt. 5:4), an advocate to help (John 14:16), joy amidst angst (Psalm 94:19), and compassion in our troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Rather than viewing our questions in time of pain and struggle as the faltering of our faith, and respond with suppressing those feelings, we can be can be encouraged by Christ to get those feelings and intense emotions off of our chest, casting them on the one who not only cares for them, but can carry them and will comfort us! Don’t be afraid that your feelings and questions seem wrong, for they are only wrong when we bottle them up and don’t bring them before the one who can make them right. Jesus did not brush Mary and Martha’s feelings to the wayside, instead he felt with them and for them. He offered them the greatest words of comfort and compassion but was also there to be that comfort and compassion.
“Jesus wept.” He entered into their sorrow and pain with them. What I love about this encounter is that we not only see Jesus as a Lord who can be approached with the human questions and doubt we experience in painful circumstance, but we see Jesus as someone who weeps with us. Though God is to be revered and given all honor, he is not simply stoic and unconcerned. He promises comfort for the mourning (Matt. 5:4), an advocate to help (John 14:16), joy amidst angst (Psalm 94:19), and compassion in our troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).