We All Need Somebody to Lean On
Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.
Now let us dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!
We All Need Somebody to Lean On
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” John 11:32-34 NKJV
Singer-Songwriter and musician Bill Withers had several hits over his 18 year career span. He brought us timeless hits like: Ain’t no Sunshine, Just the Two of Us, and Lean on Me. As I listened to the words to Lean on me, he sang, “we all need somebody to lean on.” As I continued listening and singing along I was reminded of my scripture of the day. Mary and Martha needed someone to lean on when their brother passed away. Jesus was that someone. And just like they needed a leaning post, we do too.
Lazarus of Bethany, was the brother of Mary and Martha. These three siblings were friends and disciples of Jesus. They loved him and he loved them. The Bible tells us little about Lazarus the person. We don’t know his age, what he looked like or his occupation. What we do know is an urgent message came from Bethany to Jesus, that Lazarus had become ill, and Mary and Martha wanted him to come and heal him, for he was near death. Jesus stated to his disciples that his illness would not lead to death; rather, it would be for God’s glory. Lazarus did die, but Jesus referred to him as “asleep” and told the disciples he was going to wake him up.
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Lazarus’ home in Bethany, they found Mary and Martha grief-stricken. They had buried him four days earlier. Jesus said,“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me” John 11:41-42. Jesus did the unexpected, raising him from the dead. Lazarus’ sickness, death, and restoration to life worked toward giving glory to God and increasing the faith of his followers. When Jesus called Lazarus, he emerged from the tomb, alive and well. This is a miracle of the “Only God Can Kind.” The focus is on Jesus as the Son of God, and Lazarus served as an instrument for Jesus to provide proof that he was the indeed God on earth.
Remember we are each others keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.