“So when Mary came to the place where Jesus was, she saw Him and fell at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:32 NASB).”

I empathize with Mary; the grieving for her brother Lazarus was painful. Her faith in Jesus was sincere; yet, ‘if’ was a natural response. She believed Lazarus would still be alive if the Savior had come sooner. Why didn’t He rush to them when first notified of Lazarus illness?

Jesus loved Mary, Lazarus and their sister Martha. The Master hadn’t ignored their earlier plea; He had compassion on the sisters.

“Therefore when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept (John 11:33-35 NASB).”

Jesus wept before working a miracle; He has the power over life and death!

“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ So they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.’ And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’  Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go (John 11:40b-44 NASB).”

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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