See How He Loves! (John 11:36)

 


Tuesday, May 13, 2025


Psalm 35:1-17

Exodus 25:1-22

John 11:17-37


See How He Loves! (John 11:36)


 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”


None of our Gospel writers give us much in the way of editorial comments about what tone of voice people used. We have to try and figure out what the lesson for us is based on other things in the text. But sometimes we get a really big clue that tells us exactly what a certain scene was like. Today, Jesus has come to the place where his friend Lazarus died, and his emotional response is such that the onlookers are obviously moved.


Yes, Jesus could have come earlier, and stopped Lazarus from dying in the first place. But Jesus already explained his delay – a great miracle had to be done. And so he delayed until God’s power of life over death could be shown to the crowds. But that doesn’t mean Jesus is heartless.


Jesus has done more for us than we will ever really properly comprehend. To have drunk the cup of the wrath of God against sinners right down to the dregs – who can wrap their brains around it? And so everything that happens in our lives is in the light of that. Everything points to it; everything flows from it.


Lazarus had to die so that he could be raised, and that Jesus could point to his glorious atoning work through it. If Jesus didn’t die for sinners, then temporary physical healing was all that he could offer Lazarus, and he would have gotten there earlier. But we have much more than temporary physical healing: we have salvation, peace with God, and the eternal blessing of God’s favour. And in the meantime, Jesus mourns with us over the dreadful effects of sin and death, until we will enjoy perfection in his nearer presence in the new and perfect creation.


What problems has God allowed you to go through? How has his mercy protected you from worse? How have you seen God’s goodness shine in the darkness?


O Lord who weeps for us: give us a sense of the depth of your love for us, both in our daily lives and for our eternal souls, so that our love for you may grow hot and be worked out in how we live.

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