John 11:39

New Living Translation (NLT)

 “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

For meditation

Suffering has a way of blurring our vision and dulling our senses. We get stuck in its pain and sorrow, so we can’t see beyond it. We can’t hear properly, think clearly, or believe anything. Nothing is real, but the pain. Nothing makes sense, but what we’ve accepted as reality. We are suspicious and cranky. Nobody can be trusted anymore and no explanation is reasonably sufficient. So, how do we get out of this quandary? How could a person extricate themselves from the quagmire of suffering?

If only we could instantly answer this question, life would be tolerable. But, No! Dealing with suffering has been the constant, but illusive, inquisition of all time. The process touches the heart and bares the insufficiency of its understanding. That is why Job’s experience has become proverbial. His three consoling friends quickly found out how wicked suffering could be, and how unreasonable it makes its victim; until the glory of God beams through.

Unfortunately, suffering is part of our Christian experience. For being with Christ does not inoculate us against pain and sorrow. If the Master Himself suffered through it, how could we be excluded from its cruelty? Paul said it well in Philippians 3:10-11.

Martha and Mary suffered through the pain of dealing with their brother’s sickness and their Lord’s failure to timely come to their aid (Jn. 11:1-7). They grieved Lazarus’ death and burial. Four days later, Jesus shows up and behaves as if nothing had happened (21-42).

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

“Your brother will rise again.”

“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die … Do you believe this?”

“I believe that you are the Messiah.”

“Where have you laid him … Take away the stone.”

“But, Lord … by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

This dialogue between Jesus and Martha reveals the fog that clouds the mind of the suffering. No matter how hard Jesus tried, Martha couldn’t grasp what he was telling her until the miracle happened and his brother walked out of the tomb (43-44).

Martha’s experience exposes suffering as one of the darkest alleys anyone could walk through in life. But, that’s the reason for Jesus. The light He brings dispels every darkness or fog for reason to prevail. I don’t know where you hurt right now, but I can assure you that Jesus is the One you need (Jn. 4:10; 8:12); and He will not fail you (Rm. 10:13).

Listen to Job when God came into the dialogue: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-7).

May the life-giving light of God in Jesus, beam on your way through your suffering (Jn. 8:12); and may you begin to smile again in Him!

Easter is the season to embrace the light and warmth of God in Jesus.

Shalom