A Better Day is Coming

“Jesus wept”.John 11:35Jesus was deeply moved and troubled in spirit as he saw Mary and those who were with her weeping over the loss of her brother Lazarus. As He was taken to the place where he was buried Jesus also wept.To see and feel the anguish of those who have lost a loved one is heart wrenching. We seek to find the words to bring comfort and yet it doesn’t bring ease and freedom from the pain that is felt. Trying to reconcile that they are gone and you won’t see them anymore is inconsolable. But it is through the lens of the text found in John 11 that we find hope.“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”John 11:40-44As those who have lost their lives over the last week are being laid to rest the families are grieved beyond relief. I believe just like He wept with Mary and those that were with her I imagine Him looking over us and He weeps with us. However His tears recognize the sin in the world that affects us in such profound ways but He more importantly sees there is a better day coming:“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4May His word bring hope and comfort to all who are mourning today.