Lent Perspectives

  “When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.” John 11:33

    “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.” John 12:37

  I have been pondering the idea that this might be part of Jesus’ anger; part of what troubled His spirit. In a very short while, His beloved disciples and followers would be placing Him in a tomb and would despair that their Lord was gone. They believed He was the Son of God, the Messiah, their King who would redeem the world but when it came to death, it was something none of them could see beyond.

  Even though they saw Lazarus raised from the dead and Jesus had told them He would return, for three days they mourned as though He was gone forever. I sincerely doubt I would have behaved any differently had I been there. But, praise God, I have the knowledge of how The Story ends!

  I was wondering if Jesus was faced with images of His upcoming crucifixion as He gazed upon Lazarus’ tomb. Was this the moment He knew what lay ahead? Not long after, He sat the disciples down and predicted His death and betrayal. 

  The raising of Lazarus set those events into motion. Some of those who had seen the miracle went to the Pharisees who, from then on, became fully determined to kill Jesus (11:53).

   It was the beginning of the end that must happen for the sake of all humanity.

   Anger is complicated. It is the result of a complex accumulation of emotions. Perhaps it is a sign of our humanity that our feelings for others often end up internalized. We can grow angry over the injustice suffered by others yet our hearts will also be angry about the injustices we have personally experienced. Maybe that’s why we can empathize with others. Maybe that’s what makes us better people.

  Or is it because of our emotions and experiences we can help others in their pain?

  (Smile.) So many questions!

  Maybe it's both.

  We have a God who is willing to humble Himself in mortal form to experience all what it means to be human in a world filled with sin. He designed us, made us in His image, yet knowledge without experience lacks dimension and understanding. I think the difference in how we see and feel things is simply because we are mortal.

  As I have written today’s post, there’s a part of me wrestling with the idea that I cannot understand the heart of God because I am not a god. I am simply a woman typing away in her kitchen. That’s a good thing! (Smile.)

  I do know His motivation and am slowly coming into a place of understanding what that means. God’s sole motivation is love for His creations. He is love. 

  Sometimes love manifests itself as anger.