Jesus' Love and Compassion (John 11:17-37)

Today's scripture: John 11:17-37

We continue with the familiar story of Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead, and we see Jesus' love and compassion. We also see a wonderful example of trust even through the most painful of circumstances.

I love how the Bible depicts scenes of Jesus interacting with women. Many say the Bible—and therefore Christianity—is anti-women. Perhaps that's true in the Old Testament although many strong women are depicted, such as Sarah, Ruth, and Deborah. Certainly by the time Jesus came to earth, women were treated as second-class. However, Jesus' message was one of equality in the eyes of the Father. And He demonstrated this with how He compassionately and lovingly dealt with women.

Today's verses offer another glimpse into this side of Jesus. When Martha came to greet Him, she was understandably distraught. Her brother had died, and Jesus wasn't there to heal Him. She'd seen Jesus heal others; why hadn't He healed her brother? Jesus didn't rebuke her or immediately begin a sermon. He just promised her Lazarus would live again. Then when He met with Mary, He felt so much compassion for her pain, He wept. Even though He already knew the outcome, He grieved with this woman whom He loved.

Jesus already knows the end of each of our stories. He already knows who will be healed on earth, who will have the joy of going to heaven. He knows what jobs we'll have, where we'll live, what we'll do. Yet, He knows our humanity and our lack of understanding. So He grieves when we do. He loves us through our moments of doubt, and He gently reminds us of whom He is.

Just as He did with Martha and Mary.

These verses also illustrate faith and trust even when one doesn't understand. Martha often gets a bad rap. We're all familiar with the story of when Jesus came to visit. Martha's running around trying to prepare the meal; Mary's sitting at Jesus' feet. "Make Mary come and help," Martha cries. Jesus responds, "Martha, you're worrying about things that don't really matter. Mary has chosen to learn of things that have eternal value." (See Luke 10:38-42.)

Study upon study seems to tell us we should be Marys instead of Marthas. Yet, in today's passage, Martha seems to be the more trusting of the sisters. She had clearly listened to Jesus' teaching. She knew about the "resurrection on the last day." She knew those who followed Jesus would live again. Jesus said some key words to the Christian faith: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." He then asked a critical question: "Do you believe this?” Martha answered rightly, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”

Her dearly loved brother had died. She was in pain. But even in that pain, she trusted that Jesus was exactly who He said He was.

We'll all experience pain in some way. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we believe in Jesus in spite of the pain. Will we be like Martha? Or will we turn away. Jesus often works in a way contrary to our wants, but we can always trust Him. No matter the circumstance.