A Time For Mourning

Long years ago when I finally got around to reading the Scripture regularly and seriously, the gospel of John was the gospel I frequented the most.  As I remember those days of beginning to read the Word, I remember that the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead was one which received an ample amount of underlining.  While it is a powerful story of Jesus' power over death, it is also a story in which Jesus models for us some important things about being with those who are mourning and grieving.    

Of course, one of the surprising things in the story is the way Jesus delayed in going to the home of Lazarus after He received the message asking Him to come,.  "Lord, he whom You love is ill,"  (John 11:3) was the message.  By the time Jesus arrive, Lazarus was dead and in the tomb which prompted both of his sisters to play the "If only You had done differently..." game with Jesus.  What is interesting is the way Jesus felt no need to try to make Himself look better.  He seemed more aware of the hurt within them than the words they spoke.    

The Word says, "...he (Jesus) was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved."  (John 11:33)  It also speaks of Him weeping.  One of the things to be learned from Jesus at the tomb of His friend is that the time of mourning is not a time for arguing, being concerned about ego, or trying to run away from the emotions which are so ever present in those moments.  Instead of running from His emotions, He embraced and expressed them.  While we might think there is more strength in trying to be strong and not expressing our emotions, Jesus reminds us there is strength in expressing them as we seek to offer ourselves to those who mourn.