Our scripture this week is John 11:1-45.
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
John 11:1-7
We may forget that Jesus had friends outside the circle of Peter, John and James and the other disciples. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were the closest to Him, offering their home to Jesus and the disciples when they passed that way. It is not surprising that the sisters would send a message to Jesus to let Him know that Lazarus was sick.
Jesus saw even the illness of His friend as an opportunity to give glory to God, that through His action on earth people could come to know God’s love. However, He knew that He had been sent for a specific purpose, and continued His work for two more days before turning toward Judea. He was so focused on His mission for God that nothing would distract Him.
During the current pandemic, we see the same selfless devotion from people who are doing God’s work to halt the spread of the infection, often at the expense of time with their families and their personal well-being. May we understand their call to service and do all we can to support them and those they leave at home daily for the good of our communities. God has called us all to a purpose on earth, but none more important than our care for each other.
Gracious God, we thank You for the special love given to us to share with others. Help us in this time to serve with care and courage, doing all we can for Your children in need. Amen.