John 11

 How does the narrative of John 11 impact your faith?  For me this passage has been a huge impact. I used to think God didn’t care about our individual struggles. But Jesus truly cares. He wouldn’t have wept if He didn’t care. I questioned God’s love when my brother drowned but sensed God was with me when my Das was killed in a car accident. I cannot explain in adequate words the change in my heart, other than the promises in the Bible. 

The story of Lazarus has an echo throughout the Bible with questions of lament, anger, disappointment and frustration with God’s timing. Our questions of why are rarely answered. But His presence will NEVER abandon us as we surrender to Him. What other option is there?  We live in hope of the better day that is coming when all will be made right.

“God is not shocked or surprised that you are discouraged. He doesn’t wring his hands, wondering what to do next. He knows every struggle of discouragement in your heart. He knows your cries before you cry. He knew that you and I would be weak; that’s why he promised to be our strength. He has promised never to give up the battle for our hearts until that battle is finally won forever. This means he fights for us even when we have given up the fight. Our desire to follow him may weaken, but he will never give up or turn his back on us. He knows us because he made us, which is why he sent his Son to be for us what we could not be for ourselves and to do for us what we could not do on our own.” - Paul David Tripp, Suffering

“When Jesus finally showed up four days after Lazarus died, broken-hearted Martha and Mary’s first words to Him were, “If you had only been here . . .” (v. 21). 

They revealed a wonderful faith in Jesus, but not one that reached beyond death. Martha believed in the resurrection and that she would one day see her brother again, but Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (v. 25). 

If you want to know how God feels about the death of your loved ones, be comforted by how Jesus grieved with Mary and the mourners. Those watching Jesus thought He cried because He loved Lazarus, but—really—He cried because He loved the living who mourned.” - J Vernon McGee

“Even though he knows what you don't know, and sees what you don't see, He never turns His back on your suffering and sadness. He never mocks your grief. He never tells you to get your act together.

No, he meets you with tender grace. Your sadness touches your Savior's heart, and he does for you in those moments what you couldn't do for yourself. I can't help but thinking when I read this passage that as Jesus asked for the stone to be rolled away, that he had to be reflecting on what was to come.” - Paul Tripp