For Lent we are pausing reading the Bible beginning to end and are exploring a theme of Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John.  In today’s scripture, the encounter is with his friends, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus.  Although we don’t often think of people who might be friends of him, rather than disciples or followers, Jesus is clearly friends with these three siblings. When he gets word that Lazarus is gravely ill, though, Jesus hesitates before going to Bethany, and then when he does go, Lazarus has been dead for four days.  When Jesus travels toward Bethany, Martha meets him.  Later, when he gets to the house, Mary meets Jesus, and she and friends around the house are weeping, at which Jesus, too, weeps.  This show of love on his part might have been enough to console them, but Jesus goes with them to call Lazarus from the tomb.  The story is filled with despair and grief, but it also demonstrates the presence of Jesus in any such despair and grief, and it also demonstrates hope.   (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)