Today is August 10
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the gospel of John, chapter 11.
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
If you could put a title on this passage I think it would be, Disappointment with God. Martha and Mary and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus. And when Lazarus became sick and they sent word about it to Jesus, they believed that Jesus wouldn’t let the worst case happen. Surely Lazarus wouldn’t die. Surely Jesus would come and save the day. They had seen Jesus do it with complete strangers, surely he would save his friends. But he didn’t. And Martha and Mary are devastated. Have you ever been devastated because God let you down?
In this passage, Martha tells Jesus how she feels. She says, “if you had been here, he wouldn’t have died.” Can you imagine the moment Martha said those words to Jesus? What do you think she would have looked like? What would she have sounded like? As you listen to the passage again, consider also how you think Jesus felt as he stood before Martha.
As we close our time of prayer, I wonder if there is anything in your life that you’re disappointed with God about. I wonder if, like Martha, you could look Jesus in the eye and share your disappointment with him? And I wonder if you could listen for his response to you?
Music Credit:
"Roll Like a River" - Vineyard Soul (YouTube)
