Not only is this a long reading, it could be used for a series of sermons, there is a lot here. For this we will focus on how Martha and Mary share their grief with Jesus. Their prayers are raw and filled with emotion. I hope we feel like we can share similar prayers with God. We may not talk to a person in authority the way these sisters speak with Jesus, but when things aren’t going well, and we are struggling, we need an outlet for these emotions. God can be that outlet.

We aren’t giving directors notes to these stories so we can attribute our own interpretation to what is shared. Since they had asked Jesus to show up, and he intentionally waited, I am thinking they are frustrated and disappointed in Jesus. They knew that Jesus could save him, but he’s too late. When have we felt like Martha and Mary? When have we felt letdown, forgotten, disappointed. I think they are feeling all of these emotions and they share them with Jesus.

If we know God as we do, doesn’t God want to know everything that we are dealing with? Since God already knows everything, why would we keep anything from God? Much like a volcano, if we dont release some of the pressure that we carry from time to time, we have the potential to erupt. May we turn to God when we are struggling with sadness, grief, pain and sorrow. God wants to know and God wants to be a part of everything that we are dealing with. This is how much God cares for us.