One of the most moving stories for me in all the miracles that Jesus did is in John 11:38-44. Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave. He came there it appeared too late to do anything. In fact, when Mary and Martha see Jesus they say to him at different times. "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." 11:21,32. They didn't understand he needed for him to die to demonstrate the power of God through him. But, the reality of it is is that they spoke out of their grief and pain and lack of understanding that we all experience at times when trying to understand what an infinite God is doing. Not that it is completely possible for us to ever completely understand.
Jesus also still weeps as he sees the tomb verse 35. It is the shortest verse in the Bible, but filled with meaning. Jesus was not distant from their pain, even though he would move the stone in a few moments. Lazarus would one day go back into the grave once more. Only to one day hear that same voice again at the end of the ages. Jesus is "God with us". He sees our heartache and pain and identifies with us. He didn't rebuke Mary and Martha for their comments, though on some level they were not true. He understood they spoke from brokenness. Jesus is kind to the brokenhearted.
Jesus showed that same sensitivity at a different place with a man whose son was possessed by a demon. The demon would throw the boy to the ground and make him foam at the mouth. Think about how that would make you feel as a parent to see your child go through that. Then he brings him to the disciples and they could do nothing for him. It would make me want to scream. It would surely make me upset. Then, Jesus speaks to the man after coming down from the mountain. At this point, the man's faith is deeply shaken. He says he does believe, but to help him in his unbelief. To help him through this struggle that he is in. His faith is small, but Jesus said that faith of a mustard seed is all that is required. So, Jesus honors the man's small faith and the boy is healed. I'm glad God works with mustard seeds. I'm so there. . . .
