March 22, 2026
What makes you sad? I remember going to a funeral, and lots of people were crying. They held tissues to wipe away their tears. Some had been crying so much that their eyes were red. When someone who is close to you dies, it can make you so sad.
Today’s Gospel reading tells of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who were crying because their brother, Lazarus, had died. They had asked Jesus to come and help them, but by the time Jesus got there, Lazarus was already in a tomb. He had been dead for four days. You know what Jesus did? Listen to these words, “When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept” (John 11:34-35). Jesus cried. He saw how sad Mary and Martha were, and His heart went out to them. He knows what we’re going through, and He knows how much we hurt.
But then He did something amazing. He called out, “Lazarus, come out!” And guess what! Lazarus came back to life again. Incredible! That’s how powerful Jesus is! He is even stronger than death.
Look at the picture of the cross. The cross tells us that even Jesus died. But He also did something else. He came back to life again. In fact, He told one of those sisters, Martha, that He is the Resurrection and the Life. No tomb could hold Him in. Death has no power over Him. He lives forever.
Now, here’s His promise: One day, He will come back. We don’t know when that will be, but when Jesus does come back, everyone will come out of the places where they were buried. He’ll bring everyone back to life again. Those who believe that Jesus forgives us, saves us, and gives us eternal life will go to be with Him forever in heaven. No more people dying. No more tears. No more sadness. Jesus is amazing, isn’t He?
Dear Jesus, I believe you are the Resurrection and the Life. Amen.