August 11: Weekly Reading- Jesus Raises Lazarus; The Rescued & Insight Post by Kim Feld

  -   August 11, 2025

Grace and Forgiveness: God’s grace teaches us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.

Monday Verse

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Monday Questions

How can I extend grace and forgiveness to those who have wronged me, reflecting the same kindness and compassion that God has shown me through Christ? What steps can I take to release bitterness and practice true forgiveness in my relationships?

Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld

When I read the story of Lazarus, my heart breaks for his sisters, Mary and Martha. John’s account of the story tells us that when Lazarus became ill, the sisters immediately sent for Jesus. Take a look:

³ So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” John 11:3 (NLT)

Jesus, obviously operating with more information than the sisters or disciples had, gave this reply:

⁴ But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” ⁵ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, ⁶ he stayed where he was for the next two days.” John 11:4-6 (NLT)

If you continue reading through the story, we see that Lazarus is miraculously raised from the dead, and verse 45 tells us that because of this miracle, many believed. God used Lazarus’ illness to reveal His glory to the people. As Jesus had promised, Lazarus’ illness did not result in death. I can only imagine how Mary and Martha’s faith was strengthened. Yet, the pain and maybe even disappointment that Jesus didn’t come when they called to Him, and the emotional toll of burying their brother, weren’t erased.

It is possible to recognize the good that God brings out of painful situations, while still feeling the toll of the pain the problem caused. These things don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Because God knows and sees so much more than we do, He doesn’t always come through for us in the way we think He should. I know people who have allowed their disappointment with God to turn into bitterness and unforgiveness, distancing themselves from Him. These situations are really where the rubber hits the road in a faith journey, and we are faced with the question, “Do I trust Jesus to know and do what’s best or not?”

After Job had lost his children, livestock, and health, (Job’s story is documented in the Old Testament book of Job. If you’ve never read it, I encourage you to take some time to do it. It’s a fascinating read.) his wife encouraged him to “Curse God and die.” Job 2:9 (NLT) Job gave her this amazing response:

“…Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” Job 2:10 (NLT)

We are quick to accept the good that comes from God, but what about when He doesn’t give us what we want? As complex and painful as those situations can be, I believe in them, He extends an invitation to us to know Him better.

Even though Mary and Martha’s prayer for their brother was answered, I believe they got to know Jesus better through the pain and discouragement of the experience. I’m grateful that John shared this story with us; there’s a lot to unpack in it.

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org