Encountering Jesus: Comfort in Grief and Renewal
Summary
In this Lenten season, we embark on a transformative journey through our custom Lent guide, designed to deepen our connection with Jesus. This 40-day journey includes daily prayers, readings, and fasting, inviting us to experience spiritual renewal. As we begin our new series, "Encounter," we delve into the Gospel of John to explore how Jesus meets us in our unique circumstances. This week, we focus on how Jesus encounters the grieving, using the story of Lazarus' resurrection in John 11 as our guide.
The narrative of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha reveals Jesus' profound understanding of human suffering. Jesus, fully God and fully man, knows our needs and meets us where we are. When Martha confronts Jesus, she seeks truth and reassurance, which Jesus provides by affirming His identity as the resurrection and the life. This truth strengthens her faith and helps her navigate her grief. In contrast, Mary needs comfort, and Jesus meets her in her sorrow, weeping alongside her. This act of compassion demonstrates that Jesus shares in our pain and offers solace.
The story also highlights the cultural context of the time, where Jews believed the spirit lingered near the body for three days after death. Jesus intentionally waits four days to ensure that Lazarus' resurrection is undeniably miraculous, affirming His divine power. This miracle not only comforts the grieving but also strengthens the faith of those who witness it, turning their sorrow into belief.
As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of Jesus' dual nature—His humanity in sharing our grief and His divinity in overcoming death. This encounter invites us to trust in Jesus' power to transform our lives, even in our darkest moments. As we prepare for communion, we are called to examine our hearts, repent of our sins, and embrace the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This sacred act symbolizes our belief in the promise of eternal life, where all grief and pain will be wiped away.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus meets us in our grief, offering exactly what we need to heal and move forward. For Martha, it was the truth of His divine nature; for Mary, it was the comfort of His presence. Each encounter is tailored to the individual's needs, demonstrating Jesus' intimate understanding of our hearts. [04:26]
- The story of Lazarus underscores the importance of faith in the face of doubt and fear. Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was intentional, designed to reveal His glory and strengthen the faith of His followers. This teaches us that God's timing, though sometimes perplexing, is always purposeful. [10:47]
- Jesus' compassion is evident as He weeps with Mary, showing that He is not distant from our pain. His tears remind us that we serve a God who is deeply empathetic and present in our suffering, offering comfort and hope. [20:59]
- The resurrection of Lazarus is a powerful testament to Jesus' divine authority over life and death. It serves as a precursor to His own resurrection, highlighting the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. This miracle invites us to trust in Jesus' power to bring life from death. [24:07]
- As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the profound sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation. This sacred act calls us to reflect on our lives, repent of our sins, and embrace the hope of resurrection and eternal life, where all grief will be transformed into joy. [35:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Lent Guide
- [01:45] - Series Introduction: Encounter
- [03:15] - Jesus and the Grieving
- [04:26] - The Story of Lazarus
- [07:25] - Jesus' Love for Lazarus
- [10:47] - Disciples' Fear and Jesus' Purpose
- [13:47] - Cultural Context of Lazarus' Death
- [16:26] - Martha's Encounter with Jesus
- [18:46] - Mary's Encounter with Jesus
- [20:59] - Jesus Weeps with Mary
- [24:07] - The Miracle of Lazarus' Resurrection
- [26:53] - The Significance of the Miracle
- [29:30] - Jesus' Compassion and Divinity
- [32:04] - Communion and Reflection
- [35:27] - Preparing for Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 11:1-44
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific needs did Martha and Mary have when they encountered Jesus in their grief, and how did Jesus address each of their needs? [16:26] [18:46]
2. How does the cultural belief about the spirit lingering for three days after death play a role in the story of Lazarus' resurrection? [13:47]
3. What was the reaction of the Jews who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus, and how did it impact their faith? [26:53]
4. How does Jesus demonstrate both his humanity and divinity in the story of Lazarus? [29:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to wait two days before going to Lazarus, despite knowing he was sick? How does this reflect on God's timing in our lives? [07:25]
2. In what ways does Jesus' interaction with Martha and Mary show his understanding of individual needs during grief? How can this understanding be applied to how we support others in their grief? [16:26] [18:46]
3. How does the resurrection of Lazarus serve as a precursor to Jesus' own resurrection, and what does this signify for believers? [24:07]
4. What does Jesus' weeping with Mary reveal about his character and his relationship with us? [20:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced grief. What did you need most during that time, and how did you find comfort or truth? How can this experience help you support others in their grief? [04:26]
2. Jesus waited before going to Lazarus, demonstrating that God's timing is purposeful. Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to understand God's timing? How can you trust in His purpose during this time? [07:25]
3. Martha needed truth, while Mary needed comfort. How can you discern what others need when they are grieving, and how can you provide that support effectively? [16:26] [18:46]
4. The resurrection of Lazarus strengthened the faith of those who witnessed it. How can witnessing or hearing about God's work in others' lives strengthen your own faith? [26:53]
5. Jesus' compassion is evident as he weeps with Mary. How can you show empathy and compassion to those around you who are suffering? What practical steps can you take this week to be present for someone in need? [20:59]
6. As we prepare for communion, we are called to examine our hearts and repent. What steps can you take to reflect on your life and seek forgiveness for any sins before participating in communion? [35:27]
7. The story of Lazarus invites us to trust in Jesus' power to transform our lives. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully? How can you take a step of faith in that area this week? [24:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Meets Us in Our Grief
Jesus meets us in our grief, offering exactly what we need to heal and move forward. For Martha, it was the truth of His divine nature; for Mary, it was the comfort of His presence. Each encounter is tailored to the individual's needs, demonstrating Jesus' intimate understanding of our hearts. [04:26]
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Reflection: Think of a time when you were grieving. How did you experience Jesus meeting you in that moment, and what specific comfort or truth did He provide?
Day 2: Faith in God's Timing
The story of Lazarus underscores the importance of faith in the face of doubt and fear. Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was intentional, designed to reveal His glory and strengthen the faith of His followers. This teaches us that God's timing, though sometimes perplexing, is always purposeful. [10:47]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you are waiting on God's timing. How can you trust in His purpose and glory during this period of waiting?
Day 3: Jesus' Compassion in Our Suffering
Jesus' compassion is evident as He weeps with Mary, showing that He is not distant from our pain. His tears remind us that we serve a God who is deeply empathetic and present in our suffering, offering comfort and hope. [20:59]
Isaiah 53:4 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel pain or sorrow. How can you invite Jesus into that space to experience His compassion and empathy?
Day 4: Trust in Jesus' Power Over Life and Death
The resurrection of Lazarus is a powerful testament to Jesus' divine authority over life and death. It serves as a precursor to His own resurrection, highlighting the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. This miracle invites us to trust in Jesus' power to bring life from death. [24:07]
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"
Reflection: Reflect on an area in your life that feels lifeless or hopeless. How can you trust Jesus to bring new life and transformation to that situation?
Day 5: Embracing the Hope of Resurrection
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the profound sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation. This sacred act calls us to reflect on our lives, repent of our sins, and embrace the hope of resurrection and eternal life, where all grief will be transformed into joy. [35:27]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what sins or burdens do you need to lay down before Jesus? How can embracing the hope of resurrection change your perspective on these struggles?
Quotes
"Each of us may need a specific thing to help us navigate grief. Maybe we need to hear the right words or maybe we need something to do or we need someone to do something specific in order for us to move on from our grief. What I've come to know is that Jesus knows exactly what we need and when we need it so that we can move from our grief and start to live a full and flourishing life again." [00:04:12] (27 seconds)
"Now, I just said that Jesus is a friend to Lazarus. So why did he wait two more days before he departed? I've said this before. Everything Jesus does is with intention and purpose. And we're going to see that in just a minute. There is a reason that Jesus is waiting." [00:10:00] (26 seconds)
"Mary simply needs comfort from her friend. And so Jesus weeps. He's demonstrating to Mary that he shares the grief of the loss of her brother. Now I want you to hear this. It's important to hear this. Jesus is gone. He knows what he's about to do. So he's not confused on that. Like, I'm going to cry, but then I'm going to turn on another switch and resurrect Lazarus." [00:21:03] (35 seconds)
"I find incredible comfort that the God of this universe, creator of all, stops life and he just focuses on Mary and he weeps with her. How comforting is that? You see, there's a lot of religions in the world. You can pray to some guy that lived a long time ago, you can pray to a wooden carved image or a stone image, but there is only one God that's alive and will weep and mourn with you. How comforting is that?" [00:22:06] (44 seconds)
"What's important about this passage is that it solidifies that Lazarus is dead. See, what's important with a miracle is that we have to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that what takes place is authentic. John is recording all these small little details for you so you understand Lazarus is dead. When they roll that stone away, boy howdy. Right? It is not going to smell good." [00:23:50] (31 seconds)
"Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus had done believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Here at the end of the story, we see the miracle. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. It's kind of humorous to me that Lazarus comes out of the tomb still bound in his wrappings and needs help getting them off." [00:26:53] (33 seconds)
"When Jesus encounters Martha, he strengthened her faith. Martha needs to hear truth. Capital T, truth. Da entferanish Zutha. Baby Wilmer. Dauga ansla majesty. I'll see you next time. from the Son of God, in order to come to terms with her grief. And that's what she receives. When Jesus encounters Mary, he joins her in her grieving." [00:29:30] (26 seconds)
"Through this story, we come to understand that when Jesus encounters the grieving, he shows us both his humility, his humanity, and his divinity. Jesus demonstrates compassion, understanding, love, and peace. his divine nature and power to those that seek him and their grief. This morning, let us encounter Jesus as we take communion together with him." [00:31:09] (34 seconds)
"When we come to this table, we are receiving the love of the Father through the body and blood of the Son in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That's why we call it a sacrament. It's sacred. This table in front of me is sacred. Because of that, we want to come with the right posture." [00:31:43] (25 seconds)
"In the season of Lent, it is our tradition to place the cross here. It's a reminder that this thing is an instrument of death and it's awaiting somebody. It's to set the tone for this season and I said this last week when we think about the season of Advent we grow more and more joyful as we move towards the birth of Christ." [00:33:38] (28 seconds)
"When you look at this and we say that we're going to receive the love of the Father through the body and blood of the Son in the presence of the Holy Spirit this is the cost of that ladies and gentlemen. As you get closer maybe where you're sitting you can't see it but there's a crown of thorns and nails there. Your Savior will wear those." [00:34:49] (30 seconds)
"He'll be impaled by them so that when you take this meal you're saying I believe in you I believe this story is real He'll be impaled by them true, and I believe in the everlasting life, I believe that when I am resurrected, He will wipe away every tear. There will be no more mourning, no more grieving, no more sadness, no more pain, and I will spend eternity with great joy in my heart." [00:35:28] (37 seconds)
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