John 11:32-35 (NRSV)
Read John 11:32-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 32When 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."
Verse 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. Verse 34He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Verse 35Jesus began to weep.
Devotion
“Lord, if you had been here…” But Jesus had not been there, and Lazarus died. Now, here is the Lord, and it is too late. Here is the Lord, and he grieves with the mourners, but the deed is done. Then, in the midst of the weeping and keening, Jesus calls for Lazarus to arise, and he does!
What in this story is the true miracle? That Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, or that he is so moved by his beloved ones, he weeps and does what he can to assuage their pain? He has done no less for us. He lays down his life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know how often we cry “If you had been here...” when things go bad. We forget that you are already with us, smack dab in the messiness of life. Still the clamoring of our souls so we can sense your constant, compassionate presence, and take heart. Amen.