Jesus' Tears Part 1

By Mary Vee
John 11:1-4

A tomb in Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

There was a man named Lazarus from the town of Bethany, the same village where his sisters, Mary and Martha lived. At this time, Lazarus was very sick. 

There were many women name Mary in those days. This Mary had poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair some time ago. 

The doctors tried to help Lazarus, but he continued to get worse. The sisters sent a message to Jesus saying, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

The messenger rushed to where Jesus stayed and told him the news. His disciples who remained with him heard what had happened as well. Jesus said to them, "This sickness will not end in death. It has happened so God would be glorified and so God's Son may be glorified through it."

The disciples knew Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They were surprised that He didn't leave immediately. But Jesus stayed where He was for two more days. On the next morning, Jesus told his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea."

"But Rabbi," said one disciple, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you there. Are you sure you want to go back?"

Jesus said, "Aren't there twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble since he sees by this world's light. When he walks at night, though he will struggle to not fall without the light. Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I'm going there to wake him."

His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better."

The disciples didn't realize at the time that Jesus meant Lazarus had died. They thought Mary's brother slept and would wake after feeling better.

"You are mistaken," Jesus said. "Lazarus is dead and for our sake I am glad I was not there. This way you will believe. Now, let's go to him."

When Jesus and the disciples arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Many of Mary and Martha's friends had already come to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 

On this fourth day after her brother died, Martha heard Jesus was near. She rushed out to greet him, leaving Mary at home. "Lord," she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

Jesus said, "Your brother will rise again."

"I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes, Lord," she aid. "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." Martha then returned to her home and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here and is asking for you."


There is more to this story!

Come back to read the next part.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Landowner's Harvest

By Mary Vee
Matthew 20:1-6

Photo by Mary Vee taken in Northern Italy

In this last parable explaining the kingdom of heaven, Jesus tells this story:

"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to the place where workers for hired stood. 

"He offered work to those willing to reap harvest in his vineyard then said, 'I will pay you one denarius for a day's work.'

"The price being a good wage attracted many workers. Those who agreed, he sent to his vineyard.

"The workers did well, but by the third hour the landowner saw all the fruit yet to be picked and decided to hire more workers. He went to the marketplace where other men stood waiting to be hired. 'Go work in my field and I will pay you whatever is right.' They agreed and went to his field.

"At the sixth hour the landowner checked his fields. Even with all the workers, the remaining fruit could not possibly be harvested in time. He returned to the market place then and again at the ninth hour, offering work for whatever was a right pay. Workers agreed and went to his fields.

"When the eleventh hour came, the landowner returned to the marketplace and found men standing around. 'Why have you been standing here doing nothing?'

"The men said, 'Because no one has hired us.'

"'Go, work in my field and I will pay you what is right.'

"When evening came the foreman called the workers in from the fields. The landowner said, 'Pay the men starting with the ones hired last then continue on to those hired first.'

"The foreman paid the last ones hired one denarius each. When it came time for the first ones hired to be paid, they assumed they would receive more money since they had worked longer. But each man also received one denarius for his work.

"Those who had worked the full day grumbled to the landowner, 'The men who harvested in your fields only one hour were paid one denarius. You made them equal to us who have worked all day in this scorching heat.'

"Once they finished complaining, the landlord said, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed to work one day for me for one denarius pay, right? Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or perhaps you are envious because I am generous.'

"And so, the last will be first, and the first will be last."



One meaning for this parable is, while there are those who believe in God since their youth, dedicating their lives to serving Him, then there are those who realize their need to believe only seconds before they die, they will both receive the same reward of eternal life.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.