Real Hope

John the apostle tells us in John 11:35 that, “Jesus wept” during a difficult moment. We have all had difficult moments in our lives. The fact that Jesus wept with Mary and Martha at the passing of their brother and his dear friend, Lazarus, shows us that He walked the same path as you and me. Jesus knew the outcome. He knew that Lazarus was going to be resurrected and yet he still felt deep emotion and sympathized with his dear friends. Jesus is with us in our sorrows as well as in our joys. He cares about us. He understands. He is with us in our most difficult moments. It is important to believe and remember that!

Mary and Martha were disappointed that Jesus hadn’t made it in time to save their brother; and I’m sure they felt let down. I, too, have experienced disappointment and I’m positive that I have let others down. Disappointment is a part of life but we have a choice to let it become either a barrier or a bridge.

Perhaps you have been disappointed or have disappointed someone else, and you’ve carried the weight of that burden for a season. Have you heard someone say, “I’m going to need some time?” But if we take too long to forgive someone (or even ourselves), it can become a barrier that prevents us from enjoying a fulfilling life. We can become consumed with the hurt disappointment causes. One thing I’ve learned, however, about overcoming disappointment is that forgiveness is the start - not the destination. I’ve realized that I need hope for the days to come, not just forgiveness for the days that have passed. 

We all experience real life hurts and disappointments just as Mary and Martha did. We have challenges, difficulties and problems in which we are continually searching for a solution. In the midst of all of the imperfection that surrounds us, God does something almost too good to be true. He offers Himself as a solution to the problem. He was real and He was perfect, and yet willingly laid down his life for us. He took our imperfections. This act of grace brings real hope for our lives. This hope is powerful enough to help us overcome whatever we may be facing. The past carries hurts but we can either run from it or learn from it. 

Are you holding on to disappointment, grief or pain? In the midst of the most difficult part of Mary and Martha’s story, Jesus wept with these two sisters. He cared for them and He cares for you. He still gets down in the middle of our sorrow and holds us close, mingling his tears with our own. He can help you revisit your past to redefine it and even redeem it. This is more than forgiveness; this is healing, redemption and restoration. And this is why Jesus came - to heal, redeem and restore us.