In this passage are two sisters interacting with Jesus and dealing with the loss of their brother. They show us the multidimensional nature of affliction, and at each point, they show us something that we need. Something about loss, something about love, and something about life. Jesus says he is the resurrection and the life—and he backs it up by overcoming our greatest enemy and obstacle, death. As you confront the free-floating grief of this tough time, come just as you are to the feet of the one who loves you, who weeps with you, and who overcame death for you.

Suffering is the valley of soul making. God’s people in exile felt cut off from life, and you might feel that way too. But there is one who was cut off from the land of the living for us— Jesus experienced the ultimate cosmic exile on our behalf. Jesus went all the way into the valley of death for us.

We don’t know the widow’s name in this story. Jesus sees a face of affliction and moves toward her. Jesus never uses anyone for his own benefit. On the cross, he will be used and abused for our benefit.

Do not grow weary and lose heart. How do we have a growing and sustaining faith that lifts us when you fall, and gives deep joy even when we hurt? Jesus bore our shortcomings and brokenness not with anger, but with joy—for the joy set before him, he endured the cross. Jesus will guide us and saves us each step of the way. He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.

Tabitha offered her ordinary skills to extraordinarily care for others. She humbly plays her part in the gospel story as if what she was doing is as ordinary and necessary as doing the dishes. And through it all, God gives new life. Tabitha went from being marginalized to being mobilized.

“I’ve never lived at a point in time when so many people are suffering simultaneously throughout the world. Our forms of suffering vary, but the common language of humanity is suffering. Let us learn together from ones who have suffered greatly.”