“Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late”. Diary, 1448
Today we look at one of the last and biggest public miracles of Jesus – Lazarus raised from the tomb.
“Jesus wept” John 11:35
I sit this morning as the sun climbs into the blue sky, last night’s rain still heavy in the air, pondering these words. Why would Jesus weep? He knows the truth and depth of God’s love and the eternity that is our true life in Him. Why weep? In His knowledge, it doesn’t make sense He would cry that Lazarus is dead. He knows the glory Lazarus is seeing now. Is it because He is going to call Lazarus back from that place of eternal bliss? The sun just crests the trees as I ask Jesus this question, “Lord, what made You cry?”
John 11:25-26 gives us a hint. Like many, I’ve always interpreted these words as Jesus giving eternal ‘physical’ life to any who believe in Him. But, as I watch the sunlight glisten on the wet grass, Jesus gives me a different thought to these words.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26
Jesus IS the resurrection and the life. Any who believe and trust in Him are given life, even from the dead. Spiritual death in sin is something every soul on earth must face. We sin, we are fallen humans. Sometimes we can’t help ourselves despite our faith. Other times we are misled by the enemy into sin. Sin kills – period. With each sin we bury ourselves deep in the tomb. Sin makes us a ‘decaying corpse’
And, Jesus weeps. With each such death, Jesus weeps. It tears at His Sacred Heart that a soul would inflict such devastating harm to itself. But, Jesus has the power to raise even the corpse like soul long dead in sin. His Divine Mercy is breath giving eternal life.
“He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’ John 11:43-44
Jesus calls out to the soul, dead and entombed in its own sin. It takes only that this soul trust in Jesus and heed His call. He calls the soul to new and eternal life. No matter dead four days or forty years or more. Jesus is calling to raise the dead soul. When this soul steps from the ‘tomb’ of the confessional, Jesus exclaims to remove the bindings. It is time for the soul to be free, truly free. It is time for the soul to truly live.
“There is no misery that could be a match for My Mercy”. Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1273
No misery, not physical or spiritual death is a match for His mercy. You must believe in His Mercy and accept it. Listen closely, the Lord is calling into the tomb, “Come out!”