Loving God of all blessings, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our study of Jesus and the funeral that was revoked continues in John 11: 38 Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. 39 Jesus said, "Remove the stone." The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, "Master, by this time there's a stench. He's been dead four days!" 40 Jesus looked her in the eye. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then, to the others, "Go ahead, take away the stone." 42 I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I've spoken so that they might believe that you sent me." 43 Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him loose." 45 That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. (The Message version).
This whole passage for this week could have been titled, "A Funeral Without Jesus." In truth it was and looking at the events that unfolded, no pun intended, it was a funeral revoked. The grief, the mourning, the stages of death, all that goes into the hard reality of death was faced by this family. Their loved one died, and it was not the result of a lack of faith; they believed, they called Jesus, Jesus didn't respond immediately, and on they went with the funeral keeping with laws and customs of their faith. When Jesus arrives He comforts the sisters and shared with both hope and faith in our living God. Jesus shares the new reality of death and how it is not the end. Jesus re-defines the term resurrection from being something at the End Day to that which they experienced and witnessed right then and there. Jesus also showed His humanity and compassion as he wept for a dear friend.
This is an Easter story set in the journey of Lenten preparations for a resurrection or Easter Day. It tells us that during these days leading up to the glory of Resurrection, much has to be learned and believed, so that the power and sadness of a Good Friday does not dampen our spirits for the glory and majesty of an Easter Sunday. Many a pastor has proclaimed on that special Friday, "It's Friday! But Sunday's coming!" echoing the hope and faith we all should have about yes, even our own lives. If you're living a "Friday" experience, hold on, Sunday's coming!
PRAYER: God of Sunday and God of Friday, we thank You for being with us all the way! Hear me as I share what I have been experiencing in my soul and life, and grant me stronger faith to await the arrival of "Sunday!" I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
