The Heavy Days

John 11

A man dies, and his family grieves. It’s a story known in homes around the world, among the rich and poor in every era. You could fill it with names that you know. But in John 11, the man’s name is Lazarus, and his sisters are Martha and Mary. Their brother becomes sick, and dies.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. (verse 20)

Mary, who has befriended and learned from Jesus, who has followed him and trusted him, can’t or won’t get up. Life feels too heavy; her grief is too deep for her to stand. Maybe she feels conflicted about seeing Jesus now.

Have you sat there, your breath taken away and your world changed forever? Have you wondered: Lord, where were you?

When Mary does get up, it seems to be with a certain fire.

When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to weep there. (verse 31)

But instead of going to the tomb she goes to Jesus, collapsing under the weight of her questions and their implications.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (verse 32)

Mary weeps. Her friends weep. Jesus weeps (verse 35). Even though he knows the end. Even though he has complete confidence in his heavenly Father. He weeps because the ache is real. There is no shame in our tears.

And then Jesus tells Mary: You will not only stand after this pain; you will rise. This pain is not the end.

Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? …. Unbind him, and let him go. (verse 40, 44)

When we find ourselves in emotional pain, Jesus comes near to us. When we are tempted to think he is late, or absent, we can remember how deeply he cares, and how the story ends:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

This verse tells us that our grief is not trivial; our emotional hurt is something that ultimately only God can deal with. This is why it is hard, and heavy. Speak the words from Revelation out loud, right where you are now. If you can only whisper them, whisper. If you can declare them, declare them. If your grief is heavy, ask for the strength to rise.

When her brother dies, Mary falls at Jesus’ feet in tears. In the days that follow, she will anoint those same feet with oil and wipe them with her own hair. Her faith will change, and grow. And ultimately, the one who raised her brother from the grave will dry her cheeks forever.