How can we apply the compassion shown in John 11:1 to our lives? Setting the Scene “Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.” (John 11:1) What Compassion Looks Like in the Lazarus Story • Jesus allows His schedule to be interrupted by the suffering of a friend (vv. 3–6). • “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (v. 5) — love that is personal, named, and intentional. • He enters fully into their grief: “Jesus wept.” (v. 35) • He moves from empathy to action, bringing life where death reigned (vv. 38–44). Timeless Principles We Can Live Out • Notice people’s pain instead of walking past it. • Let love dictate our calendar, even when it is inconvenient. • Feel deeply; tears are not weakness but Christ-likeness (Romans 12:15). • Pair heartfelt concern with concrete help (James 2:15-16). • Believe God can still “call forth” life in hopeless places (Ephesians 3:20). Practical Ways to Mirror This Compassion – Keep your phone silent when visiting a hurting friend; give undivided attention. – Write names in prayer lists; Jesus loved Martha, Mary, Lazarus by name. – Offer tangible aid: meals, childcare, transportation to medical appointments. – Stand with the grieving at funerals and in the lonely weeks after. – Support ministries that confront spiritual “death” with the gospel. – Speak words of resurrection hope from Scripture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Cultivating a Heart Like Jesus 1. Meditate on His tears (John 11:35) until your own heart softens. 2. Ask the Spirit daily to heighten your sensitivity to silent suffering around you (Galatians 5:22). 3. Practice small acts of mercy—compassion grows with use (Luke 16:10). 4. Remember your own rescue from spiritual death (Ephesians 2:4-5); gratitude fuels empathy. 5. Keep eternity in view: every believer you comfort will one day rise, just as Lazarus did temporarily and Christ did permanently (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Closing Reflection Compassion in John 11 begins with one sick man and blossoms into a display of divine love that still calls us to act today. See, feel, and serve—so that others glimpse the same living Christ who turned tears into joy in Bethany. |
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