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She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. Mark 14:8 (NLT)
A couple of years ago one of my best friends was critically injured in a car accident. The EMT’s did and amazing job extracting him from the mangled heap of metal that encased him. They did what they could.
At the hospital, the ER doctors worked frantically to save his life. They did what they could.
Sadly, for us, it was Jesus’ desire to bring him home, into his loving arms. He (my friend) had done what he could.
Jesus was well aware that his time for the cross was coming. He had seen the change in Judas and knew that soon he would be betrayed and handed over to his murderers. While he sat in the home of his dear friend Simon the leper, one of his very closest friends in the entire world poured an entire flask of perfume on his head and feet. She did this out of pure love and devotion for this great teacher and friend. She did it out of gratitude for the gift of life he’d given to her brother Lazarus.
She couldn’t possibly have known the events of the upcoming week. She couldn’t possibly have understood the huge meaning of her act of love. In the grand scheme of things, her insignificant act changed nothing, but she did what she could.
“She did what she could.” Gill writes, “She hath done what she could,…. What she had in her heart, and in the power of her hands to do; she hath done according to her ability, and her good will; and if she had not done it now, she could not have done it at all.”
There are so many times when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. For those devoted to ministry it may be the realization that our task is far greater than our resources.
Jesus says, “Just do what you can.”
As parents we see our children growing up in a world where evil seems rampant and hope seems dwindling.
Jesus says, “Just do what you can.”
As a business owner the red ink seems to be growing, the black in shrinking. It’s not just your business that is threatened; it’s the livelihood of your employees and their families.
Jesus says, “Just do what you can.”
To the person who watches a loved one on a path to sure destruction; who has tried everything to bring back the prodigal; who has sought every medical option to save a life; who has looked into every option to diminish the consequences of stupid choices.
Jesus says, “Just do what you can.”
God never calls us to do things he hasn’t given us the tools to accomplish. All he asks is for us to follow Mary’s lead. Our actions may seem insignificant at the time. But just do what you can.
PRAYER: Lord God. I look at the task before me and realize it is too great for me to accomplish. Remind me that the accomplishment is only in my willingness to ‘do what I can.’ Amen.
The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” John 11:36
We’ve all seen the pictures:
A young woman in a bridal gown laying across the grave of a fallen soldier, her husband.
A little boy in salute to the grave of his father.
The flowers, crosses and candles that materialize overnight after some horrific accident.
The heart wrenching cry of a mother, father, sister, brother, friend after a mass shooting.
We feel the agony. Some of us may even tear up ourselves. We know life will go on. We know death happens. We know…but that doesn’t stop the pain.
Jesus stood at the tomb of one of his closest friends and wept. Even though he was the Son of God…God himself in the flesh, God among us, Emmanuel … he wept at the thought of life without Lazarus.
As we approach Resurrection Sunday, as we mourn the death and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, let us never forget his love for mankind. Even as he mourned his friends death there were those who questioned his lateness. Today many malign him and question the scientific and historical facts of his existence. Few have ever questioned his love.
Fast forward a few days. Another crowd is gathered where Jesus is. This time, it is them that are crying as they watch their friend, brother, teacher suffering the most painful and cruel kinds of death – death on the cross.
It was the same love the brought tears to Jesus’ eyes that brought him to the cross. It was the same love that drove him to endure the pain of death so you could have victory over death. At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus hung his head and cried. On the cross, he hung his head and died. At the tomb Jesus held up his hands and ordered the dead to live again. On the cross he spread out his hands and gave eternal life to the living.
Never look at the cross of Christ without seeing the empty tomb. Regardless of where you are in life, or where you have been. No matter how you have been hurt, or how you have hurt others. Jesus cried for you and died for you.
The scene at Lazarus’ tomb reminds us of how much Jesus loved. Let the cross remind you of how much he loves you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, some things go beyond words. Help me today to see your love for me in a whole new way. Empower me to share that love with someone who needs your touch. I love you Jesus. Amen.
After Martha said this, she went back and talked to her sister Mary alone. Martha said, “The Teacher is here and he is asking for you.” John 11:28
His final days were excruciatingly painful. She spent her time going from his bedside to looking down the street to see if they were coming. She had friends, fellow mourners, posted at the gate of the small town, ready to send word as soon as they could be seen along the dusty path.
Time was running out. Her brother, Lazarus, was weakening fast. Where was he? How could he delay at a time like this? She counted the days. She’d sent him word two days ago. There had been time for him to make the trip. He should have been here by now.
One last look down the street. Nothing. Her gaze and thoughts were interrupted by Martha’s touch on her shoulder.
“He’s gone.”
She ran to his side. His lifeless body still warm, but it was obvious he was no longer there. She wept. She lay across his body. This, her only brother, her friend. In the Jewish family system, when the father died, the oldest brother took his place. For the first time in her adult life she felt like an orphan. If only they’d come. If only they’d been the kind of friends they said they were. The teacher said he’d be with her always! Where was he now?
The days ahead were a blur of memories and mourning; of preparations and decisions; of greeting members of the community and family who’d come to comfort. She was gracious. She was always gracious. But she often cast an eye down the street to see if they had come.
She sat in her room a couple days after the funeral. “Strange,” She thought, “I’m not sure if I’m sad the Teacher didn’t come or angry; disgusted or disappointed; confused or…”
Her thoughts were interrupted by Martha’s touch, “The Teacher is here and he is asking for you.”
There was no hesitation. She ran to him and hugged him, held him as she sobbed into his arms. Once she composed herself in anguish she whispered, barely audibly, “If only you’d been here he wouldn’t have died.” There was anguish in her voice to be sure, but no doubt.
We often read the story of Lazarus and focus on the resurrection of this dearly loved man without considering the emotion of the other players in the story. Few, if any of us, will ever see someone rise from the dead, all of us have experienced the absence of God in the midst of troubling times.
God’s silence is not an indicator of his apathy to your pain. While Jesus didn’t appear when Mary and Martha hoped, his appearance fulfilled their need in His time, not theirs. What struggle are you going through? What event have you invited God to attend, but gotten no answer? We can’t understand his timing, but we should never doubt that he will come to us in his time.
He is risen. He is risen, indeed! Let the prayer below guide you in falling into the Saviors arms. He’s asking for you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. This turmoil I’m going through right now seems unbearable. I’ve looked for your presence but can’t find it. I invite you to come now to comfort, strengthen and renew me. Amen.
Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. John 12:10-11 (NLT)
There is no indication that he did anything to raise their ire. But the simple fact that he was up walking around was the only reason they needed. His very presence on the streets provided the proof that he was a follower of Jesus. Every breath he took was provided the evidence needed to convict Jesus of having the power to raise people from the dead.
“What?” You may ask. “Convict someone for raising a loved what from the dead? What crime kind of crime is that?”
But it wasn’t the fact the Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead that bothered the Pharisees. It was the fact that he did this miracle outside the controls of the current religious system. Whenever you do God’s work in disregard of tradition you risk being misunderstood, maligned, outcast and, in a word…hated.
After all, there are doctrinal and denominational distinctives to follow. There are ‘proper channels’ to adhere to. God only works in certain ways, at certain times, in certain situations. Right?
Not the Jesus I follow! Not the Jesus Lazarus followed either. Lazarus didn’t need to say a word to witness for Jesus. He didn’t need a degree. He didn’t need a piece of paper proving his ‘ordination’ into kingdom work. And, even though he most likely was baptized (according to tradition) there’s no indication of that in scripture.
Lazarus wasn’t hated for his lifestyle, his theology or his denominational affiliation. He wasn’t judged on his marital status, his occupation or his race, gender and ethnicity. He was judged because he’d been with Jesus and his very life testified to it with every breath he took.
Can we say that? Can I say that? Being hated for being offensive is no glory. Being disliked for our firm doctrinal stand isn’t that admirable. Lazarus was a more effective testimony for Jesus without saying a word than a library full of sermons.
Live life. Live life to the fullest. But in doing so live so closely to Jesus that people will know, without a single word from your lips that you’ve been with Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray that you would help me to be a Lazarus. Forgive me for the times my words and actions have brought shame to your name. Empower me with your spirit to live in such a way that my life betrays my allegiance to you. I will not fear being hated for my life built on you. In your name I pray, Amen.
So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” John 11:3 (NLT)
“Your dear friend is sick.”
He was the Son of the Living God. He was a King. He was surrounded by people who needed his touch of healing for their souls and bodies. They were tired, poor in spirit and in pain.
But Mary and Martha had no problem sending him the message. They knew Jesus. They knew that no matter where he was or what he was doing he would want to know about Lazarus. Why? We really know nothing about Lazarus. He certainly wasn’t a public official of any importance (that we know of). Why would someone of Jesus’ caliber and importance give the news about Lazarus anything more than a passing thought?
Because, Lazarus was Jesus friend, that’s why. Not just any friend mind you. Lazarus was Jesus very dear friend. Some translations use the word dearly loved one, but I like the very dear friend statement. To me you can love someone from a distance, but a very dear friend is one you go to when they need you. You drop everything so that you can be with them to comfort them when they need comfort, encourage them when they need encouragement and celebrate when a celebration is in order.
Mary and Martha knew something each of us needs to remember. We, like Lazarus, are Jesus’ very dear friends. There’s never a time when he’s too busy to listen. Never a point in our lives where we are too far from him, even during those times when it seems he is silent.
When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick he was a day’s journey away. A day can seem like an eternity when we are in need. A day can make the difference of life and death, of celebration or need of encouragement.
Jesus answers often come in ways we don’t understand or agree with, but they always come in a way that will glorify God and strengthen us for the journey ahead. I’m sure that Mary and Martha watched the road desperately in during Lazarus’ last days. One eye on the road, one their dying brother. They went through the mourning. They went through the funeral and burial. Four agonizing days later Jesus came and the ‘If only you’d been here’ resulted in a reunion with their dear brother.
You, like Lazarus, are Jesus’ very dear friend. He is always aware of your need and never removed from your pain. He understands your anger, doubt and worry. His timing isn’t always understood, but it’s always best.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, there have been so many times when I’ve wondered where you were of if you even realized the struggle I’m in. Thank you for the reminder that I’m your very dear friend. When I’m in the dark times of my life I pray that you would help me remember you love me and that even if you don’t answer the way I’d like, your way is always best. In your name I pray, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 