We Don't Think Big Enough, Part 3

  Jesus wept.


  Take a minute and really think about that statement.  That's the shortest, most profound statement in the Bible.  I think many people who ready that verse think, "oh well that's kind of cool, he shed a tear."  But this word means to wail loudly, to be racked with sobs.  How can we overlook the profound nature of that statement?  The God of the universe was crying his heart out.  Although there are many different speculations as to why Jesus wept, I like to think it was because He understood the pain of Mary and Martha's loss.  Lazarus was His friend after all.  Jesus understands our pain and heartache.  Does that not blow your mind?!


  Now take that and tie it to the idea of us not dreaming big enough.  If Jesus would weep for our pain and He understands what we're going through, then don't you think He wants the best for us?  Sometimes we have to go through really bad things so we can truly appreciate the best that God has for us.  Think about the testimony Mary and Martha and Lazarus would have after he was raised from the dead.  Think about the lives that were touched because of his resurrection.  Would they have impacted as many people if they didn't have this miraculous story to share?  Yes, there is that possibility, but probably not.  In the next chapter, we see that crowds of people were coming to see Jesus and Lazarus after they heard this amazing story; and in this group were Gentiles.  The word was spreading.  It was no longer only for the Jews.


  Another positive that came from the pain they went through was the fact that they probably cherished and appreciated life and the time they had together more than they had before.  After Lazarus was raised to life, and Jesus was hanging out with His friends (that's cool to think about huh?), Mary anointed Jesus with very expensive perfume by pouring it on his feet and wiping them with her hair.  I like to think this was because Mary was grateful for having her brother back after going through so much pain.  She realized that everything they had gone through was all to glorify God. . .