John 11:38-44 NRSVue

³⁸Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” ⁴⁰Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
/Jesus wept. / Lord, you are not a cold icon You are as vulnerable as we are to sadness, loss and grief. Remember me by name. Keep me a place in your heart as you had a place for Lazarus.

Reflection
My habits and hesitations bind me up; premature conclusions and judgements seem to be the immovable stone that shuts me in. Jesus does not accept them as final, but wants me to be free, calling me to light and life. I ask forgiveness of God for surrendering my freedom and reach out to take Jesus' outstretched hand.

Reflection
I am reminded of Jesus’ humanity as John tells me that Jesus was greatly disturbed at Martha’s distress. I pray with compassion for all who are bereaved and think of what I might do through my presence or prayer.