John 11:28-37

John 11:28-37 - Daily Devotion - 13 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 28 After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.” 29 And when Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him. 31 When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit[D] and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” He asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they answered.35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”37 But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”REFLECTIONSWritten by Mercy SawHow do you respond when things don't work out the way you want? Some of us tend to react with anger. Others retreat inwards in self-pity or apathy to ward off the pain of disappointment. Sometimes this might cause us to question or doubt God’s character.Mary's response is remarkably different – as Martha’s had been also. It would have been natural for Mary to be angry at Jesus for not making it on time, or to continue grieving privately and not see him. Instead, she immediately goes to Him, and brings her grief and sorrow to him. She acknowledges his power and that he could have saved her brother. Yet this does not lead to resentment, blame, or doubt, but faith-filled submission to him.We see also that Jesus is one who is worthy of such trust. This passage comforts me that Jesus was a real human, with real emotions and a real love for those he cares for. Even though he knows he will soon raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus is moved by the tears of Mary and those around him, and he weeps. This wasn't just a tear trickling down a cheek. Jesus wept to the point that it was evident to all around him how much he loved Lazarus.Whatever heartaches and loss we experience, whatever disappointments or unmet hopes, we know that Jesus is not immune to our pain but feels and cares deeply. Though we may not know as clearly as in Lazarus’ story why Jesus allows our suffering to occur, we can be comforted that he grieves with us. More than this, we have a greater hope because Jesus experienced the ultimate suffering on our behalf by dying on the cross to deal with the source of all suffering, and he rose to bring about a new creation where there will be no more tears or mourning or pain. Let’s continue to draw near to him with all our cares and concerns, knowing he is both sovereign and compassionate to those who trust in him. ABOUT THE AUTHORMercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.