Reading John chapter 11 verses 1-44

Our third meditation takes us to Bethany, a small town in Israel. It is here that we discover a family of two sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. Sadly, this welcoming home is engulfed by grief. Lazarus had fallen sick and his sisters had sent for Jesus. They hoped He would arrive immediately, but Lazarus died before He came.

Nevertheless, five lovely statements transformed the situation:
• Jesus heard, verse 4 – Jesus always hears those who come to Him to tell Him of their needs.
• Jesus loved, verse 5 – the two sisters were very different characters but He loved both of them, as well as Lazarus. He loves each one of us too.
• Jesus came, verse 17 – we can rely on Him to come to come to our aid, when we need Him
• Jesus wept, verse 35 – He was moved to tears by the ravages of sin and Satan on God’s creation and creatures – He was, indeed, ‘A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’, Isaiah chapter 53 verse 3.
• Jesus said, verse 39, 43, as Jesus stood at the grave-side, ‘He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth’. And he who had died came out’, verse 43. A day is coming soon, when the Lord will ‘descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words’, 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 16-18.

What a comfort, Christ is coming. Will you be ready?