Sharing the Sorrow
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As we previously stated, this story hits home for all of us. I imagine that most of us, if not all, have found ourselves in the midst of overwhelming grief, staring at a situation that feels utterly hopeless. We may have in the moments whisper to God, “Why didn’t You show up sooner?” Whether it is the sudden loss of a loved one, a shattering diagnosis, or a dream that was crushed without warning - moment like those are when doubts creep in like a dark shadow, making us question if God really cares or if His timing is off, I know I have; in fact, that’s why I’m sharing this message today. As I’ve walked through my own seasons of heartache and pastored others through theirs, I’ve seen how our fallen human nature - marred by sin’s legacy of fear, self-reliance, and separation from God’s perfect peace - often leads us to doubt His goodness instead of trusting His heart. You see this isn’t just an abstract theological issue; it’s real. It’s the very struggle that unites us all in our brokenness, pulling us away from the intimacy God designed us for since the Garden of Eden. But here’s the hope we’re going to see this morning from John 11:28-37: in the raw emotion of Jesus standing at Lazarus’ tomb, weeping with Mary and Martha amid their pain and questions, we see God’s compassionate heart laid bare. Choosing trust over doubt unites us in finding God’s heart, because as this story reveals, He doesn’t stand distant in our suffering - He enters it with us, inviting us to lean into His love that sustains and transforms ever our deepest hurts.
We can see this truth unfold as turn our attention once again to John 11. We pick it with Mary this time. Last week, we considered Martha’s questioning of the Lord, His answer, and His blunt response of “Believest thou this?” Now, its Mary’s time.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Here we find the raw grief of Mary along with Martha and those around them. A grief that not only mirrors our own doubts during times of hardship but also unveils the profound compassion of God’s heart through Jesus’ tears and deep emotion. We need to understand that...
Choosing Trust Over Doubt Unites Us in Finding God’s Heart.
Choosing Trust Over Doubt Unites Us in Finding God’s Heart.
It's completely natural to have doubts about God when we go through tough times and experience pain. In our story, many people were grappling with the deep emotional heartache of losing someone they loved. Mary, Martha, the disciples, and others present were all feeling overwhelmed by their grief. However, one important aspect we often forget is that God also experiences emotional hurt. As we've journeyed through this wonderful gospel together, we've kept in mind that getting to know Christ is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of God. After all, Christ is God, and everything He said, did, and felt is captured for us, helping us to gain a deeper insight into His nature and love.
One of the things we often get wrong is thinking of God as someone who’s far away, hard to reach, and indifferent to our lives and worries. We often focus on His greatness and control, but sometimes we forget just how caring and gentle He truly is. In this story, it’s clear that when Lazarus died, the pain felt by those around Jesus really touched His heart.
During my time at Bible College, we had a little fun with John 11:35. Whenever someone asked us to quote a verse on the spot, we’d always choose this one because it’s the shortest in the Bible! Just two words! But you know what? These simple words give us a profound insight into the heart of God. Isn’t that amazing?
35 Jesus wept.
Just keep in mind that these two words relate to Mary coming to Jesus and sharing her feelings, much like Martha did. Both of them were really filled with grief and kept thinking that if Jesus had arrived earlier, maybe they could have saved Lazarus. As we see in the story, Mary was very emotional and tearful when she spoke to Him. It’s a powerful moment that we get to witness in the text!
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
I found it really fascinating that in this passage, it mentions twice how Christ “groaned in the spirit.” This sparked my curiosity, so I decided to delve a little deeper into the meaning. The word “groaned” actually means He was “deeply moved.” It shows just how much their pain affected Him, touching Him right at His core. It's incredible to think that He felt so deeply for others!
What can we take away from this?
We discover that whenever we, as believers, face challenges or suffering, God's heart is right there with us. It's truly amazing how much God loves and cares for each one of us. He is so deeply touched by our struggles that it can even bring Him to tears. Throughout the Bible, we see moments where God expresses a range of emotions—sometimes He feels anger, and other times He shows regret. But how often do we pause to think about God crying or feeling our pain? I want to remind you that God truly cares. He cares so much! When we go through tough times, that’s when we really need to hold on to this truth and trust it, even if doubts creep in.
Let’s take a look at some verses that beautifully illustrate God’s compassion.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
I really love these two verses for a simple reason: they show just how much God cares for us. His compassion is amazing! The Hebrew passage is particularly comforting because it highlights how the Creator of the entire Universe chose to come to earth in the most humble way. Instead of arriving in a grand palace, He was born in a cattle stall! He grew up with a humble carpenter and his wife, walking among ordinary people, sharing in their joys and sorrows. He faced trials and temptations just like we do, yet through it all, He showed that He was without sin. It’s such a beautiful reminder that He’s incredibly compassionate towards us—He cries when we hurt and rejoices when we live for Him. Indeed, He is our greatest champion, always rooting for us and sharing our pain.
If you're going through a tough time right now, I want you to know you're not alone. There may be fear, anxiety, or deep sorrow that sometimes makes you feel overwhelmed. But remember, God knows what you’re going through. He’s there with you, caring for you every step of the way. When you’re shedding tears, He’s right there, crying with you.
It's so important that we hold on to the truth that God’s heart is always full of compassion. He’s right there with us, loving us through all the ups and downs of life.
What’s not okay, though, is doubting God. It’s crucial for us to trust in His timing, His love, and how deeply He truly cares for us. Mary and Martha both had their moments of doubt, as shown when they first reacted to Christ’s arrival, and Mary even echoed what Martha had said to Him.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
At the end of today's text, the crowd also doubted His timing.
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
However, one thing that no one could deny was His love for Lazarus.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Whenever we find ourselves questioning God’s motives or character, it can be a sign that we’re struggling to trust His plan. Take Mary and Martha, for example; they questioned His timing regarding Lazarus, which meant they were also questioning His overall plan, not just for Lazarus, but for themselves as well. It's interesting to note that Jesus had already mentioned that Lazarus’ situation was meant to bring glory to God—a message that still resonates with us today. Everything God does is ultimately for His glory, including the smallest details in our daily lives.
Understanding this can be really impactful! But it's easy to let our own feelings—like grief and pain—cloud our view and make it harder to trust Him. When that happens, we might find ourselves doubting what He’s doing and feeling less faithful. It’s moments like these that remind me of the encouraging words from Proverbs 3:5-6. Trusting in His plan can really help us through those tough times!
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
The message in these two verses is really important, especially when we’re going through tough times. As believers, our journey is all about learning to trust Him, even when things don’t seem to make sense. Instead of trying to figure everything out on our own, we can take a deep breath and trust that He knows what’s best for us.
Let’s remember to acknowledge His love in everything we do. He truly cares for us, and we can see this in the way He was moved to tears at Lazarus's tomb, standing with Mary, Martha, and the disciples. This story serves as a wonderful reminder of His compassion and care for us. Whenever doubts creep in about His love, let’s hold onto that truth and remember how deeply He cares for us. When we do, we can discover even more about His goodness.
The big question now comes to this. What do we do when life throughs a curveball and we are hurting?
Trusting in God’s Love Sustains Us Through Our Hurt.
Trusting in God’s Love Sustains Us Through Our Hurt.
Mary and Martha had a tough time coping, much like many of us might react in difficult moments. That’s really the heart of this message. It’s important for us to learn to choose what’s right, even when we’re feeling pain. And the right choice is simply to trust God. If you find yourself struggling with that, that's a great place to start.
But how do we maintain that trust when tragedy strikes? It’s all about holding on to our faith in God. Mary and Martha, in their sorrow, brought a challenging question to Jesus: ‘If you had been here, this wouldn’t have happened.’ We sometimes do the same thing, caught up in what-ifs and focusing on the circumstances around us. It can be hard to see the bigger picture. That’s exactly where Mary and Martha were, which is why Jesus encouraged them to see Him as the resurrection and the life.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Whenever we find ourselves in painful situations and start spiraling into hypothetical scenarios, we need to shift our thinking. Let’s remind ourselves of this important truth: God is in control. Even when things seem really tough, He’s faithful, He cares for us, and He’s there to help us through it all. Ultimately, He will be glorified in everything.
In moments of hurt and pain, here’s a wonderful verse we can lean on for comfort.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Life can throw some tough challenges our way, and dealing with the unexpected loss of someone we love can be incredibly hard. It brings so much sadness and can feel overwhelming at times. But even in the midst of that pain, there’s a beautiful promise that we can hold onto: God is always with us. He loves us faithfully, shares in our sorrows, and helps us find our way through it all. Let’s also remember a powerful verse that can bring us comfort during these difficult times.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God’s grace is truly enough for us! There's no need to overthink or constantly try to reason everything out. Instead, let’s lean on God’s grace to guide us through those tough times. Life’s challenges can actually be great opportunities—they show us just how much God cares and how He uses these moments to help us grow. Every experience we go through is like fertile soil for our spiritual growth, and it’s important to recognize it as such.
Being part of a loving local church that shares these uplifting truths is also important. Just as in the story of Mary and Martha, it’s comforting to be surrounded by people who support and uplift us on our journey.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
I can picture the disciples doing their best to offer comfort and support during tough times. Their efforts really highlight how much we can lean on each other when we need it most. It makes me think of a lovely passage that really captures that spirit!
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Why is this passage so important? It serves as a beautiful reminder that God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, is always with us. He truly cares for us and wants to be our source of comfort during tough times. He is indeed the God of all comfort.
It also highlights that even in our moments of grief, there’s a purpose. When we learn to lean on Him, we’re not just finding solace for ourselves; we’re also preparing to lend a helping hand to others when they need it most.
That’s why being part of a good local church is so valuable! It provides a space to explore and understand the God of comfort, discover how He helps us through our grief, and learn how to support others who might be struggling.
I encourage you to stay close to God in this journey. Trust in His love to see you through life’s challenges. You can also draw on what you’ve learned during your difficult moments to uplift others. Have you thought about joining one of our small groups here at Calvary? They’re a fantastic way not only to reflect on these messages but also to become part of a supportive community. In these groups, you’ll find people who can nurture your faith, share your burdens, and create opportunities to help each other out.
By encouraging one another to keep trusting God—especially when doubts creep in—you’ll remind each other just how much God cares when we’re hurting. Plus, together, you can maintain your faith in God’s love while facing life’s ups and downs.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we conclude, we now stand just outside of Lazarus’ tomb with Mary, Martha, and Jesus Himself - the tears are flowing, the heart is hurting, and doubts are lingering - let this scene etch itself into your soul: the God of the universe doesn’t just notice our pain; He enters it, weeps over it, and transforms it for His glory. In today’s message, we have seen how our natural doubts in hardship mirror those of Mary and Martha. Yet, in the midst of this hardship, Jesus’ deep compassion reveals a God who cares profoundly, sharing our sorrow as evidence in His tears and groans. Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to trust His plan over our understanding. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls us to comfort others as we’ve been comforted. And through it all, we’ve been reminded that trusting in God’s love not only sustains us through hurt but unites us in discovering the depths of His heart.
My friends, this central truth rings clear: Choosing trust over doubt unites us in finding God’s heart - a heart that weeps with us, sustains us, and glorifies Himself through our stories, just as it did with Lazarus.
Here is the concluding question: What will you do with this today? If doubt has clouded your view, I appeal to you: surrender it at the feet of Jesus right now. Choose trust - lean into His compassion, hold fast to His promises, and let His grace be sufficient in your weakness. And don’t walk this alone: take the step of joining one of our small groups here are Calvary Baptist this week - where you can share burdens, encourage faith, and experience the God of all comfort together.
