He Knows

Good morning to all! May the joy of the Lord be yours throughout this whole day.

Today’s passage is John 11:28-37 as we continue to read on from the story of Lazarus’ being raised from the dead. As we remembered yesterday, Martha was deeply sorry that Jesus had not made it in time to heal Lazarus and yet how at the same time she expressed hope in that Jesus could make the difference. And again, he did...and he continues to make the difference in us.

In today’s passage we find what many have called the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Prior to that John recorded that Jesus was “troubled” and “deeply moved” (John 11:33). As Christians one of our vanguard doctrines is the Incarnation the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus. God the Son became man; he became human. So much so that he broke down emotionally as he felt the loss of his dear friend Lazarus and the pain of his dear friends Martha and Mary. Jesus felt the pain; he knows the pain we go through.

The incarnation of Jesus is one of the most powerful sources of hope and challenge for us as disciples of the Master. It gives us hope because we know that Jesus is not a distant “high priest” who cannot empathize with us but just the contrary, he has lived in a totally human body and understands what we go through; therefore, it gives us hope that he can walk with us, strengthen us, and empower us to live for God.

As we live each day with it’s own challenges, let us remember that the One who walks with us has already walked that walk and is able to give us strength and courage.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to this world and not only dying for us, but living life for us and in this way giving us a model by which to live by. Help me each day to find comfort in you, knowing that You know what I go through. In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

By grace alone,
Pastor David