Dominion Over Death: God the Son Shows Pity

John 11:28-37
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

---

John 11:28-37 recounts a powerful moment in the life and ministry of Jesus, where we see not only His dominion over death but also His deep compassion for those who are suffering. This passage brings us to a pivotal point in the story of Lazarus, as Jesus interacts with Mary and the grieving crowd, demonstrating His heartfelt pity.

Jesus Calls Us in Our Calamity

When Mary was mourning her brother’s death, Martha came to her and said, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you” (John 11:28). Even in the midst of sorrow, Jesus calls us to Himself. His voice is present in our pain, offering hope and comfort.

Do we recognize His voice in our struggles? Romans 8:16 reminds us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” We must listen for His call, just as Mary did, and respond with faith.

We Come to Him to Be Comforted

Mary’s response was immediate—she arose quickly and came to Jesus. She knew where true comfort was found. The Bible assures us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that God is the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” When we face hardship, we must seek Him, knowing that He alone can provide the peace our hearts long for.

As Mary reached Jesus, she fell at His feet, saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Her words echo the cry of many hearts—longing for God’s intervention in suffering. Yet, even in her sorrow, she came to the right place: the feet of Jesus. Like Mary, we are invited to come to Him with a hearing heart, a hurting heart, and an honoring heart.

Jesus Weeps With Us

John 11:35, the shortest verse in Scripture, carries profound meaning: “Jesus wept.” His tears were not a sign of helplessness but of deep compassion. He groaned in His spirit, moved by the pain of those around Him. His reaction shows us that God is not distant from our suffering; He enters into it with us.

Jesus’ response to death and sorrow reminds us that He understands our grief. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us that we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, inviting us to approach Him for mercy and grace in our time of need.

The Invitation to Trust

Through this passage, we see a Savior who not only has power over death but also a heart that is tender toward the brokenhearted. Mary’s story encourages us to listen for Jesus’ call, come to Him for comfort, and trust in His compassionate heart. No matter what sorrow we face, we can be assured that Jesus is near, weeping with us and working for our good.

Will you trust Him today?

He calls you to come, to believe, and to live.