How to See Life in 321 - a Guide to John's GospelSample

What do we need in our suffering?

John chapter 11 confronts us with some of the deepest questions we can ever consider. In it, a close friend of Jesus, Lazarus, is desperately ill. His sisters sent word to Jesus, “The one you love is sick” (John 11:3). But Jesus delayed his visit. It’s a baffling decision from the Son of God, not least because in the delay, Lazarus dies.

Understandably, the sisters have a burning question for their Lord and Teacher. They both say to him, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (v21, 32). But Jesus does not give identical responses. To Martha, he gives truth: “I am the resurrection and the life” (v25). To Mary, he gives tears: “Jesus wept” (v35).

What do you need in your suffering? Jesus knew how to give each sister what they needed. Martha needed truth to sustain her through her bereavement — there is resurrection. In fact, Jesus is resurrection. Here is something to anchor her soul through the storm of grief. But Jesus gives Martha something else. Not truth but tears. The Son of God wept. He sympathizes from the depths of his being. It’s a stunning scene.

Think of the story: God shows up late to a funeral, and then he outcries all the other Middle Eastern mourners. It is a stunning story with a further twist to come. Because we don’t just need truth and tears in the midst of our suffering. We also need triumph.

That’s how the story continues: Having out-wept all the mourners, he stands at the tomb and says: “‘Lazarus, come out!’ And the dead man came out.” (v43-44).

More than truth and tears, we need triumph. We need to know that there’s a happily ever after beyond the trials of this world and, wonderfully, Jesus proves himself to be the resurrection and the life.

As you read John chapter 11, consider the way Jesus interacts with suffering. In what ways might you need Jesus in the suffering you encounter?