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Matthew 28:20
When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha sent a messenger to Jesus. They were extremely concerned about their brother. Jesus assured them that their brother’s sickness was not unto death “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11:1-5
Knowing that Lazarus was to be raised from the dead, Jesus did not leave immediately. He tarried two days with his apostles. The apostles did not wish to return to Jerusalem, knowing of the disposition of the Jews and that they wanted to take Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus informed them that Lazarus was sleeping and that he must go and wake him, his disciples misunderstood and told him that if Lazarus was sleeping it was a good thing. Then, so that they could not misunderstand, Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead.” John 11:14
By the time Jesus arrived at the outskirts of Bethany, Lazarus had been in the grave 4 days.
While this process of events was necessary that Jesus might show that he had power over death, He is the only one who seemed to know this. He was following the Father’s plan, yet he was greeted by Martha first, then by Mary with the same words: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21; John 11:32
With Mary at his feet weeping, Jesus “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,” John 11:33
Though He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead,
Knowing that Lazarus was to be raised from the dead, Jesus did not leave immediately. He tarried two days with his apostles. The apostles did not wish to return to Jerusalem, knowing of the disposition of the Jews and that they wanted to take Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus informed them that Lazarus was sleeping and that he must go and wake him, his disciples misunderstood and told him that if Lazarus was sleeping it was a good thing. Then, so that they could not misunderstand, Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead.” John 11:14
By the time Jesus arrived at the outskirts of Bethany, Lazarus had been in the grave 4 days.
While this process of events was necessary that Jesus might show that he had power over death, He is the only one who seemed to know this. He was following the Father’s plan, yet he was greeted by Martha first, then by Mary with the same words: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21; John 11:32
With Mary at his feet weeping, Jesus “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,” John 11:33
Though He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead,
he felt great compassion for Mary and Martha. And as the scripture states,
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35
In our lives, we face trials and difficulties. Our Father in heaven does not choose to intervene every time and take away our problems. Yet he has provided a way of escape through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Still, it must be difficult to see us in our trials. This small verse in the Bible teaches us this reality. As I think of this passage, I can’t help but wonder, “How many times has Jesus wept for me?”
In our lives, we face trials and difficulties. Our Father in heaven does not choose to intervene every time and take away our problems. Yet he has provided a way of escape through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Still, it must be difficult to see us in our trials. This small verse in the Bible teaches us this reality. As I think of this passage, I can’t help but wonder, “How many times has Jesus wept for me?”
Liz Lemon Swindle
Jesus hears your tears like a prayer.
"Shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope, sorrow yields to joy, and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us."
Thomas S. Monson
“Hope sustains us through despair. Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us. Never give in or surrender… allowing despair to overcome your spirit. Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart.
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power…?”
Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows will flee. Though you may feel ‘like a broken vessel,’… remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter.”
Jeffrey Holland’s
Jesus Christ … has built the bridges over which we must cross if we are to reach our Heavenly Home.
the Lord provided us the Bridge of Prayer. He directed,
“Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing.”
Jesus, the Bridge Builder, spanned that vast chasm we call death.
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
He did for us what we could not do for ourselves; hence,
mankind can cross the bridges He built into life eternal.
Thomas S. Monson
Though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances, God Promises the hope of His Light.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Doors of Death
Russell M. Nelson
Loving relationships continue beyond the doors of death
That separation evokes pangs of sorrow and shock among those left behind. The hurt is real. Only its intensity varies. Some doors are heavier than others. The sense of tragedy may be related to age. Generally the younger the victim, the greater the grief. Yet even when the elderly or infirm have been afforded merciful relief, their loved ones are rarely ready to let go. The only length of life that seems to satisfy the longings of the human heart is life everlasting.
we mourn for those loved and lost."Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."
Our limited perspective would be enlarged if we could witness the reunion on the other side of the veil, when doors of death open to those returning home.
…….we who tarry here have a few precious moments remaining “to prepare to meet God.” Unfinished business is our worst business. Perpetual procrastination must yield to perceptive preparation. Today we have a little more time to bless others, time to be kinder, more compassionate, quicker to thank and slower to scold, more generous in sharing, more gracious in caring.
Then when our turn comes to pass through the doors of death, we can say as did Paul: “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
We need not look upon death as an enemy. With full understanding and preparation, faith supplants fear. Hope displaces despair. The Lord said, “Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” He bestowed this gift: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
As a special witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that He lives! I also testify that the veil of death is very thin. I know by experiences too sacred to relate that those who have gone before are not strangers…..To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room separated only by the doors of death.
We live in dark days. The weight of it is thick and heavy It is hard for belief to thrive under that heavy burden. How does anything flourish under this thick darkness? But way down in the bottom of our hearts we must believe. We have been given a promise. The Son will come again. Light will overcome darkness. If we turn to Him through prayer then we will be able to see. To feel. To believe.
Emily Freeman
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