Pain. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Pain. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

John 11:32-37 "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Reflection. It might surprise some that this is one of my favourite passages. Lazarus has died. Jesus has now arrived. The family are grieving, and not a little angry - 'Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.' Others are confused, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Remember that we know the end of the story. The raising of Lazarus is one of the greatest miracles. This is a resurrection!  

So, why is this story a favourite of mine? It speaks to me of what the incarnation means. Jesus associates himself completely with us. The Lord of Lord, the King of Kings, weeps. Jesus grieves at the death of a friend. He knows our lot fully.

Jesus was to endure death. Yet, by his death, death is defeated. Oh death, where is your sting says St Paul in Romans 8.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, help us to understand even more what it means for you to become fully human our sakes. Amen.