Dear Explorer,
Read John 11:33-44
Why did Jesus weep?
John 11:33 seems to indicate that seeing the sisters weeping made Him weep. John 11:38 seems to indicate a more personal grief and sadness at this friend's death.
Psychologist tell us that much of our grief when we see death is really a realization that we, too, will die one day. Maybe Jesus was saddened that He would be facing death soon and He knew that it would cause His friends more grief.
Some followers of Jesus say that if our loved one was a follower of Jesus, then we should not grieve, but rejoice! Now, I agree with that sentiment, but I also know that God designed our bodies to grieve. We grieve for our own mortality (shortness of life) and we grieve for our loss of that relationship here on earth.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Does this verse say, “Do not grieve” or “don't be sorrowful”?
No! What does it say?
Don't grieve or have sorrow like an empty person. What is our hope?
Our hope is the promise of Jesus that someday we will be reunited together with all our fellow followers of all times in Heaven to spend all eternity together. We discussed death for a follower of Jesus on Day 157.
Grieving is a process that God designed to help your brain and body adjust and heal after a loss. It's important to spend time in grief and take some time to heal deeply.
Now, I want you to notice John 11:44. It's sorta' funny, but I think it's very important.
What did Lazarus look like when he came out of the grave?
He was mummified! He was wrapped in cloth strips from head to toe. These cloths had been soaked in spices (about a 100 pounds of spices) and wrapped tightly around the body.
Did Jesus tell Lazarus to take the strips off?
No. He couldn't – at least that would be incredibly hard and time consuming to do!
Did Jesus take the strips off?
Who did He tell to take the strips off?
I believe He was talking to the friends who surrounded him.
Remember when we talked about taking care of the “little ones”? When someone is a new follower of Jesus or comes back to the position of obedience after following SELF for a period of time, they often are covered in grave clothes. They have old habits and old attitudes that keep them bound. They will find it almost impossible to remove them by themselves. They will need help. And that's the role of fellow followers.
So many new followers become discouraged because instead of mature followers helping them to grow and encouraging them, they criticize and condemn them.
Our role as fellow followers is to help new or fragile followers to take off the old grave clothes and receive all that God has planned for them.
I believe that this is a wonderful picture to remind us that “little ones” need to be un-mummified!
But it's not just the “little ones” who must deal with grave clothes. I believe that even old, long-time followers of Jesus must continually be removing the wrappings that block our view: our old way of thinking (according to SELF), our old patterns of doing things (led by SELF), our prejudices, our traditions, our hang-ups! I am amazed that every few days the Holy Spirit shows me something else that needs to change in my life. He shows me negative words that I've never noticed before. He shows me critical attitudes that must go. The Holy Spirit points out my lack of love or caring. God's goal is for us to continually remove the things that prevent our obedience.
Our walk with Jesus is meant to be lived in unity with fellow followers. We need those fellow followers to help us recognize grave clothes in our lives. But we also need those fellow followers to be transparent and honest, patient and compassionate.
In His service, dale
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