A Friend of Jesus

John 11 is not about Jesus coming across a stranger and doing or saying something miraculous but rather responding out of love to good friends who have already heard, believed and responded to the Kingdom of God.

It was evident that there was still a bigger plan at play and the Father had many Jews in which to impact, hence the waiting for the couple of extra days before sending Jesus back there. Jesus could have cut short the grief process but Mary and Martha had to endure the extra pain and sorrow as a part of Gods bigger plan. He was ever obedient, even though in the natural he would have liked to have acted sooner. But he did go, even in the face of danger. To their credit, even the disciples faced their fears and went with him.

I love how Jesus was moved to tears seeing his friends in such sorrow and grief, especially with the knowledge that their newfound belief was such that they knew that he could have healed Lazarus and prevented the death.

Lately I've really got a sense of the pain and sorrow that the God feels when he sees his children and friends in pain and turmoil. How often he must weep for us, despising the pain, suffering and trouble that the broken world dishes out to his own.

God feels our pain and knows our circumstance. It doesn't mean that immediate relief is at hand as sometimes there are bigger plans at stake. Jesus has indeed felt our pain and shame and I believe their is a Father and brother-like empathy that longs to release us all.

We are not strangers but we are friends. We have dined, talked, listened and hung out with Jesus and will continue to flow in this relationship. When times are tough our faith might be tested in some way but we should always know that our troubles are not hidden and there is someone who has taken on the burdens and pain and wants to share the yolk with us. Not that we are released from it, but at least being yoked with Jesus we know that the yolk will be easier and the burden will be lighter.

"What a friend we have in Jesus...."