John 11:28-44
Martha feels that her sister is more able to understand what is in the Lord’s mind than she is. She calls her. But even Mary can only say, "Lord, if thou hadst been here" . . . (v. 32; cf. v. 21). She can only look backwards like many people who mourn. The Lord Jesus, with heavy heart, asks them to take Him to the tomb. Then we see Him weep. Did He not know what He was going to do? He certainly did, but in the presence of the ravages of death and of its tragic power over men’s spirits, the holy Son of God is struck with sadness, anguish and indignation. The Conqueror of death is indeed there. But the state of corruption in Lazarus must be firmly established (v. 39) so that the glory of God may be made manifest before this crowd who will be witness to these events; similarly, the Lord would beforehand attribute His power to the One who sent Him by giving thanks (vv. 41, 42). Only then does His powerful commanding cry make the dead man come out of the tomb, still wrapped in his graveclothes . . . what a shock for those watching! As for us, let us remember the promise which the Lord makes to Martha, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see" – perhaps not what you hope for, but certainly "the glory of God" (vv. 4, 40).