(The shrine of St. Lazarus in the Cathedral of St. Mary Major in Marseilles, containing his skull)

"Lazarus was sick...His sisters therefore sent to him saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus hearing it, said to them: This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God: that the Son of God may be glorified by it. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus."

~ John 11:2-5

This is my favorite gospel passage...the raising of Lazarus. Or if not, it's certainly in the top five. :) Our Lord shows His kindness and human affection so clearly in this passage, and it encourages and comforts us. Take a few moments to read chapter 11 from verses 1-45 of St. John...you can even read it online here: The Holy Bible.

The three siblings of Bethany were so close to Our Lord, and so comfortable with Him, that they send word, that "he whom Thou lovest" is sick. They didn't say "Thy servant" or "one of Thy followers". They trust in His Love. He whom Thou lovest has need of Thee, Lord.

Martha and Mary are suffering: their beloved younger brother is sick and dying. It is breaking their hearts, so they pray for help with great confidence. But the help doesn't come. The Lord knowingly delays. He leaves them weeping by the side of their dead brother. Why? "For the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it." He has a much greater plan, than just healing Lazarus from his fever or disease. He is turning it into something wonderful, something truly "awesome". 

Thus it is with our crosses....He allows us to suffer, but for a much greater reason. He will turn our sufferings into something glorious. 

Then He comes. He asks Martha for a profession of faith, and she firmly and bravely gives it through her tears, "Yea Lord, I have believed that Thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who art come into this world." Then He sees poor Mary, who is sobbing at His Feet. 

Does He say, "Get up woman!"? Does He say, "What are you crying about? Don't you know that I've got this under control?" No, He "groans in the spirit", and is troubled. He feels our pain and suffering. He sympathizes with us and His Heart aches for us, even when He knows that our misery will turn into something wonderful hereafter. 

I love that verse, #35: And Jesus wept. He didn't weep for Himself: He didn't miss Lazarus, He knew He could bring him back to life in the blink of an eye. He didn't weep for Lazarus: Lazarus was feeling no pain. He wept for all those who were suffering from the loss of a friend and a brother. When we lose someone, or life becomes a heavy burden in other ways, His Heart aches for us too, even though He knows that certain things have to happen for our greater good. In verse 38, He groans again. And in the end, He performs the miracle that will publicly, in front of a crowd, prove His Divinity.... and will also sign His death warrant with the Pharisees. And He did it for His friends.