In seminary, the devotionals given by the youth in class often
had this scripture because it was the shortest scripture and they would also
use the shortest songs to sing. I never
really paid much attention to it. Lately,
my family and I have been looking into Christ’s life and the miracles he
performed. One cannot forget the miracle
of Lazarus.
Lazarus being sick, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to
Jesus. John 11:4 states,
“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory
of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
The next verse claims of Christ’s love for not only Lazarus
but for his sisters as well. After two
days Christ tells his disciples that it is time to go to Lazarus for he is
sleeping,
“…but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
Christ’s disciples view of the word “sleeping” is one of he
is asleep and they try to convince Christ to stay for his safety. Christ simply tells them that Lazarus is
dead.
During Christ’s journey back he is met with Martha who heard
that He was coming. Martha acknowledged to
Christ,
“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
died. But I know, that even now,
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.”
Martha showed faith but could not comprehend when Jesus told
her that Lazarus will live again. Martha
ran to get Mary who stayed behind at the house.
When Martha told Mary that
“The Master come, and calleth thee”…
Mary ran towards
Him. She fell down near his feet and cried,
“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
died.”
Christ in His infinite wisdom did not dismiss Mary’s
feelings or brush them off knowing full well that He would raise Lazarus from
the dead. What did he do? Feeling Mary’s sorrow he in John 11:35, WEPT.
Never before until now have I realized why these two words
are in a verse all it’s own. Easily they
could have fit with the verse before and how easily they would have been
forgotten. Linda S. Reeves, 2nd
Counselor in the General RS presidency, stated,
“Dear Sisters, our Heavenly Father and
our Savior, Jesus Christ, know us and love us.
They know when we are in pain or suffering in any way. They do not say, ‘It’s OK that you are in
pain right now because soon everything is going to be all right. You will be healed, or your husband will find
a job, or your wandering child will come back.’
They feel the depth of our suffering, and we can feel of Their love and
compassion in our suffering.”
In Gethsemane when Christ
took upon our sins, our pains, and our emotions I often feel sorrow for causing
that much pain but reading Sister Reeves talk I have learned that the Savior
took upon those burdens so that He would know how we are feeling. If you ever find a time where you think or
say, No one knows me, No one understands me, or No one feels my pain. Remember that there is ONE who does.
“HE has not forgotten you! Whatever sin or weakness or pain or struggle
or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments, He
Loves You! And He will carry you through
those moments, just as He did Mary and Martha.
He has paid the price that He might know how to succor you. Cast your burdens upon Him. Tell your Heavenly Father how you feel. Tell Him about your pain and afflictions and
then give them to Him.”
I shall never look at this scripture in the same context
again. Here we learn a lot of who the
Savior was and is. He is our Counselor,
our Comforter, and the all-knowing.
Trust in Him and He shall direct thy paths!
“…I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”
