I Am Because You Are October 7, 2025 Devotional

JOHN 11:17-21, 31-33 | ¹⁷ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, ¹⁹ and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

³¹ The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. ³² When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.

The Resurrection of Jesus is an answer to our individual experience of dissolution and death, as well as the fear and anxiety that it brings. It is also the answer to the companion experience of sorrow and grief when people we love die. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus provided Jesus with a great gift of friendship and hospitality. Their home was a frequent retreat for Him from the pressures of His ministry. The loss of Lazarus was a crushing blow for Mary and Martha but Jesus turned mourning into celebration, calling Lazarus back to life. Loss can be so devastating as those we love depart. Numbness, anger, regret, fear, sadness, and a host of other emotions flood into our hearts. When a key person in our personal play is pulled off stage, we struggle to know our lives! But Jesus promises reunion and reconnection with those we entrust to Him, just as He did for two grieving sisters long ago.

Whom do you miss the most?

Gracious God,

Enter our sorrow, as You did with Mary and Martha. Comfort us and fill us with hope.

Amen.