Passage of the Day:
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept, John 11:17-35.
Reflection:
In this age of hero worship, fame and fortune is placed above hard work and dedication. Subsequently, rather than look up to father figures, more and more young people have become captivated by social media influencers. This explains why many individuals are self-absorbed with daily posts that scream, “look at me; look at me!” These are the thoughts that came to my mind when my mother told me the news that my father suddenly passed away yesterday, May 18th. My father was forced to leave his home in Lithuania and all of his possessions during World War 2. His parents and older brother John began an improbable escape toward one of four Displaced Persons Zones set up for refugees also forced from their homes. I spent the last two years of my father’s life recounting these events and documenting them into a screen play. While there will be lots of weeping in the days and weeks to come, Joseph J. Mankus Sr. has passed but won’t be forgotten.
Prayerful Action:
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” James 4:14-15.
Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:
Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the Bible. This emotion released by Jesus lets men realize that it is okay to cry. Based upon accounts from the four gospels, Jesus and Lazarus were close friends and He was acquaintances with his sisters Mary and Martha. While Jesus had the power and plan to raise Lazarus from the dead, most families are forced to deal with the grim reality of death. Nonetheless, the best way to honor the lives of those who have passed is to strive to emulate the godly traits that were demonstrated in their living years.
Song of the Day:
My wife encouraged me to go see my folks this past week for four days. Before catching my flight on Thursday, I hugged my father which I know now was for the last time. After saying, “I love you,” my father followed you with “I love you, my son.” Upon hearing these words something in my spirit told me the end of his life was near. While the living years have passed for my father, I will never forget the values that he instilled within me the past 54 years.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 