“Lord, if you had been here, my brother [Lazarus] would not have died” (John 11:32).
Jesus doesn’t offer answers to these broken-hearted words from His dear friend Mary. He doesn’t try to dry her tears. He doesn’t spout off a spiritual cliché even though He knows Lazarus will soon be raised from the dead.
Instead He grieves along with Mary. The tears of a compassionate listener. The tears of a tender God. The tears of someone who understands the ache of this world. Then He asks a simple question: “Where have you laid him?” (John 11:33). He asks us where our hurt is too. He has not forgotten us. He will not leave us alone when we’re in need. He’s willing to go with us to the places of our pain. He doesn’t fear what He might find. He isn’t shocked by our emotions, questions, or even doubts.
Jesus grieves with us and then He gives us hope. He does come. And He does see. With eyes that stretch beyond humanity and into eternity. Whether in this life or the next, He promises to tenderly, powerfully transform our stories in ways beyond what we may even have dared to hope.
XOXO,
Holley
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Has a friend walked with you through a difficult season? Share Episode 36 of More than Small Talk with her!
Find more encouragement like this post in my devotional, Do You Know You’re Already Amazing?. Inside are thirty truths from stories of women in the Bible, and each one will help set your heart free.
