If you're a bigwig in China, your wig had better be black. Today's Wall Street Journal reports that Chinese political and business leaders are dying their hair in record numbers. That's one way to cover up a problem. But our other issues are harder to hide.

Isaiah promised that the Christ of Christmas would be our "Everlasting Father," literally a "Father forever" (Isaiah 9:6). He is the Father to whom we can come with all our pain and problems. If that is true, why are our lives so often so hard? Why does it sometimes seem that our Father isn't listening to the prayers of his children?

We're not the first to ask our question. When Lazarus was sick, his dear friends called to Jesus for help but he didn't come. Lazarus died and was buried, but Jesus didn't even come to the funeral. Finally, four days later, he arrived. Martha complained, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21). Later Mary spoke the same words (v. 32), as if they had been rehearsing them for when he finally arrived.

We hear their pain, and we share it. Where has Lazarus died in your heart or your home? Where has Jesus disappointed you? You've prayed, but no answers have come. You've pleaded, but God has delayed. You've waited, but he hasn't arrived. You've held the funeral, but he didn't attend. Or so it seemed. Where are you waiting for God to show up, to be God for you?

Here's what happens when Jesus finally comes. He shouts Lazarus out of his grave (v. 43). Don't rush by that just because you already know about it. For the first time in all of humanity's history, a man rises from the dead. Walks out of his own grave. Healing him would have been wondrous. Raising him is historic.

As a result, many of the Jews who have watched this painful drama now put their faith in Jesus as their Messiah (v. 45). They knew before that he was a powerful healer, but they have seen other doctors and healers. But none who could raise the dead. So they trust him to raise their souls as well.

And most important for us today, "Jesus wept" (v. 35). The shortest verse in the Bible, and perhaps the most profound. Jesus wept. He wept for their suffering, for Lazarus's pain, for the sorrow and heartache of the moment. He entered their agony and suffering, and experienced it personally. Jesus wept for them. He weeps still for us. Let's explore that fact tomorrow.

Copyright © 2007. Godissues.com. All rights reserved.