When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep.      John 11 : 32 - 35

This week’s reading : John 11 : 1 - 45

Thought for the week

Our Gospel reading today is of Jesus arriving after the death of Lazarus. Jesus has been so close to this family, and He now enters fully into their grief. He allows Himself to be immersed in it. The Gospel writer tells us several times Jesus is disturbed to His spirit. He even weeps,

There are many forms of grief. For many of us it is things no longer possible. Maybe opportunities missed. The many people no longer with us. Memories of other times. Hope becoming uncertain, fragile. Peace of mind broken.

Jesus comes to Mary and Martha, and transforms their situation. Yet it is not just about restoring Lazarus to life. Jesus is there to change our perspectives. To prepare His friends for something bigger. So huge it will change everything. To bring something new that is greater and more glorious than anyone could ever imagine. To offer a new relationship with him that is for ever. To reveal His victory over anything that we imagine can defeat us, even sin and death.

Jesus is preparing His friends for the events of Good Friday and Easter. Today is Passion Sunday, when we look to the Cross, and remember Jesus bringing His hope, His forgiveness and healing, and the invitation to new life with Him for ever.

Rev Paul

Prayer for today

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen