When Your Heart is Broken

Lazarus is dying. His sister Mary watches as he struggles for breath. Each breath shallower, each breath more painful than the last. If she could make him live through sheer wanting, he would live. If she could trade his breath for hers, she would do it gladly. But she cannot. She can only watch as her beloved brother drifts away from his tortured world.

Where is Jesus? Jesus who is the very life of God to her. Jesus who has made water into wine, tamed the wind and waves, raised a young girl from her death bed. Where is Jesus to say ‘take heart Mary, he is only sleeping’? Where is He when her pain rages inside her like a wounded lion?

Jesus who knows the thoughts of people before they even think them, who can cure a man who is miles away with a few words. Jesus who knows her heart, who has broken bread in her house so many times, who loves her. Where is He?

Lazarus dies. Mary goes through the motions, she anoints his body for burial and wraps him in grave clothes. Mary watches as Lazarus is laid in his tomb. The stone shuts Lazarus in and Mary out. Her brother is dead, Jesus did not come. She is dead inside. Nothing matters.

Mary visits the tomb of her brother for four days. Four dead days. Then she hears that Jesus is coming to see them, this time she does not run out to meet Him. People with broken hearts don’t run. He asks for her and because of her love, broken as it is, she goes to Him. She falls at His feet and accuses Him;

‘If you had been here my brother would not have died!’ John 11 v32, NIV

Jesus weeps. His tears are for the death, sickness, inconsolable grief and loss that stalk this earth. His tears are for those who think He will not or cannot help. His tears are for those accuse Him. For the people who will eventually kill Him with their anger, ignorance and pride.

He stands before the tomb of his dead friend Lazarus and tells the mourners to roll away the stone. With misgivings they comply. Then He speaks with the voice of One to whom all kingdoms and even death are subject;

‘Lazarus, come out!’ John 11 v43, NIV.

Lazarus emerges blinking into the sunlight. In a lasting act of love and reconciliation, Jesus gently tells Mary and her family to take off his grave clothes. Untie the death that has come between them and let it go.

This story is for all of us who think Jesus will not or cannot help. Those of us who think He is too late. Those of us who love Him but find our hearts full of accusation and anger. Roll away the stone that covers your heart. Untie the death that has come between you and He and let it go. He loves you – yesterday, today and forever.

‘I’m telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life.’ John 6 v47, The Message.

About the Author

Claire has worked with organisations as diverse as the Devon Design Guild, Thomas Nelson Publishers, the University of London and Microsoft on a range of high demand writing and consultancy projects. Read more from Claire at ClaireVorster.com and ClairesTeaParty.com.