When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

John 11:17-19 CSB

Interesting details in the middle of this story.

Jesus had been in Jerusalem and just left across the river Jordan, so he wasn't far away. Two miles plus a bit. 

He could've gotten there sooner. 

Maybe this is John subtly reminding us that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus and being so close to Jerusalem it was wise to stay away.

Lazarus was in the tomb 4 days. Apparently there was a belief that the spirit of a person who died remained close to the body for 3 days after death before departing. Lazarus was well past that. 

Others had come to support Mary and Martha in their loss. But not Jesus. 

He had let Lazarus's death and the grieving to take their course and he had deliberately stayed away. 

And at the same time, Jesus loves them. 

There's something bigger going on here, but if you're Mary, Martha, one of Jesus disciples, or anyone else connected or looking in on these events, what would you be thinking about Jesus?

Questions pop up;

Where were you?

Didn't you get our message?

Don't you care?

Do you really love us?

There's a very human story here of loss and grief. 

And there's God at work in the Big Story. 

It takes faith to hold both those things at the same time, and the foundation of that faith is Jesus love for us. For you. 

Jesus loves you. 

That's at the heart of this story, and at the heart of ours. 

#Jesuslovesyou

#thereisaBigStory