Those Who Are Thankful and Those Who Complain-Jesus Tears part 2

By Mary Vee
John 11:28-45

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.  

The doctors tried to help Lazarus, but he died. His sisters wrapped his body and put him in a tomb. They wept sorely for their brother, and when their news reached Jesus, he too wept.

Before he left his location to visit Mary and Martha, Jesus told his disciples the sickness Lazarus had would not end in death. He then journey with his disciples to where Mary and Martha lived. 

After speaking with Martha, Jesus sent for Mary. Mary ran to where Jesus waited. She fell on her knees at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."



Jesus saw her weep. The Jews who came to support Mary and Martha also wept. Jesus was so deeply moved in spirit. He too wiped tears. "Where have you laid him?"

Mary sniffed. "Come and see, Lord." She walked up a path to a cave where others wept.

The Jews congregating around the cave saw Jesus and the tears he shed. They said, "See how Jesus loved Lazarus!"

Some of the Jews, though, murmured. "He could give sight to the blind man. Couldn't he have kept this man from dying?"

Jesus closed his eyes and wept. So moved, he stepped slowly to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. He swallowed. "Move the stone away."

Martha had walked next to him. She faced him. "Lord, by this time, there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 

"Martha," Jesus said. "Did I not tell you if you believed, you would see the glory fo God?"

"Yes." She turned to a few men and asked them to roll the stone away. 

Jesus stood before the open cave and raised his head to the sky. "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here so they may believe you sent me."

Jesus looked at the open cave and called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

The Jews, Mary, and Martha watched the cave. Expecting. They glanced at Jesus then back at the cave. When they did, Lazarus came out of the tomb. HIs hands and feet still wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth covered his face.

Mary, and Martha pressed their hands to their hearts, overwhelmed at seeing their brother and fell to their knees in praise to Jesus.

Jesus said, "Remove the grave clothes. Let him walk and move freely."

Many of the Jews who had come to lament with Mary and Martha saw what Jesus did and put their faith in Him. 

...But some of the Jews went to the Pharisees and complained to them about what Jesus did.   

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.

God is Thankful for You

By Mary Vee

Photo Courtesy

Here in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend.

We talk about the pilgrims and the first thanksgiving, share with each other what we are thankful for, and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Most of us get the day off of work and have fun spending time with family.




Those who love God also spend the day thanking Him for what He has given them. Psalms of thanksgiving are read and sang. 

But there is a different side of the story.

Like a coin with two sides, there is another side to this one.

God is thankful for you.

It's true!

God made you.

God chose 
your eye color, 
your hair color, 
how tall you would be, 
the color of your skin, etc. 

He also designed your vocal chords and had you grow up in the place where you would learn the language you speak, figure out how to laugh just the way you do, sing (maybe off key to you and others--but not to Him).

God gave you someone to take care of you

God did not invite sin to your life. Unfortunately, sin is all around us. And because sin is here:

God weeps with you
dreams with you
hopes with you
understands 

He even sent His Son to pay the punishment for all your sins so you could see the way to heaven and one day live with Him there.

God loves you.

Did you know He sings songs for you?
He laughs with you
He tells stories to help you understand
He is patient with you
He listens to you
He guides you when you need to make a decision
He protects you
He stands up for you

Now that the list is started, what else does God do for you? 


Today is not only a day to be thankful for what you have but also to know that God is thankful for you and cares very much for you.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Christian Authors Month

By Mary Vee

I'm thankful for the books Christian authors write.  This month a few of my favorite Christian Authors will be stopping by to say, "Hi" to you.  They'll tell you something they're thankful for.  Stop by each Monday during November to visit with an author.

I am Thankful for Christian Authors
 because they know how to:

Solve a mystery

Paul McCusker, author of Adventure in Odyssey stories and others will join us
November 8-9

Laugh at life

Lori Scott, author of chapter books for young children will join us November 15-16

Go on a wild adventure.

Chris Fabry, author of tween and teen mystery and fantasy series will join us
November 22-23

Takes you to new worlds and beyond.

Bryan Davis author of tween and teenage fantasy books will join us November 29-30

Make mistakes

Hi Mary and kids at God Loves Kids blog!

Thanks for the invite. I'm pretty jammed right now with the release of the new book, "The God Hater." It sounds like you're doing important work and it would be great to connect again when things aren't so crazy.

Again, thanks for thinking of me . . . and the Lord bless your ministry bunches!

              Bill Myers