John 11:33-35

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.

From Background Notes [BN] for August 4^th & 5^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

As Jesus identifies with the anger and the sorrow of Lazarus’ death, he also looks forward to his own future. John wisely gives room for the reader to ponder the significance of the Resurrection Road at Bethany in light of Jesus’ own coming death and resurrection. Friday is the day for grief and anger and doubt. Easter does not happen on Friday.

 We do not celebrate Easter during Lent. We must give room for Friday, just as Jesus gave room for the doubts that come at Lazarus’ tomb. Friday poses the large questions of human existence which we must face squarely and not soften the blow too much, too soon. We must give the fact of death its proper consideration, for failure to do so trivializes death. It’s tempting to race past Friday. Jesus did not. He paused long enough to absorb the shock of loss. And he, too, would endure death on Friday, crying out “Why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; compare Psalm 22). And he would declare Saturday, the Sabbath, “Good,” and he would wait in the dark tomb for his own resurrection on Sunday.  [BN, 7]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm