A SISTER'S LOVE FOR HER BROTHER
Luke 11 verses 1,2: "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus,
of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that
Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet
with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick)."
The story of Lazarus and his sisters is a wonderful story about
a strong woman of faith and her concern for her dear brother.
Mary and Martha were close friends and loved their brother. He
was sick, and they knew that only Jesus could heal him of his
sickness. They sent word to Jesus, but he waited and did not
come until Lazarus was dead...all hope was gone. Jesus raised
him from the dead after he saw the grief of Martha and Mary and
the Jews that were with them. Here we have the shortest verse in
the Bible, "Jesus wept." (John 11.35). Those sisters are an
example of the love for a brother...they were concerned for him
and went to Jesus for help. Sisters, pray for your brothers.
I gave this scripture background because I want to tell you of
another true story of the love of a sister for her brother. I
was the associate pastor of a little country church, Martha
Memorial (named after Lazarus' sister Martha), for about four
years. Edna was a faithful member of this church, as was one of
her brothers, John. Her mama and daddy had been members but the
Lord had called both of them home; her Mama went first and then
a few years later, her Daddy died. I helped preach his funeral
in 2001. Edna's other brother, Harold, had major health problems
and lived with his Mama and Daddy. He didn't attend church very
much.
A few weeks after Mr. Harold died, I received a late night phone
call from Edna. Her brother, Harold, had been hospitalized, was
in intensive care, and was not expected to live long. Edna asked
me to go see him. You see, she was concerned about her dear
brother. She said, "Brother Irvin, I know the Lord can heal him
but that is not what I am concerned about...I am concerned about
his soul-where he will spend eternity." I prayed with her, and
then told her the Lord was pleased with her concerns and would
answer her prayers.
I went on over to the hospital and stepped into the ICU room
where Harold lay. He was hooked up to many machines, and looked
pitiful laying there. As the compassion of the Lord welled up in
me, I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Harold, it's Irvin.
Your sister, Edna, asked me to come over here and see you. I am
going to have church for you." He squeezed my hand, and a few
tears escaped from his closed eyes. I sang him a few songs his
Mama used to sing, "Precious Memories", "What A Friend We Have
in Jesus", and others. I pulled out my Bible, and read him a few
words about the importance of being born again. I then told him
that his sister was concerned about his soul. I knew he was
listening despite his weakened condition. As I went to the Lord
in prayer, I asked the Lord to honor Edna's faith, and to
surround Harold with his wonderful love. I also asked the Lord
to raise up Harold and let him come back to the home that he
loved. As I finished praying, I had the sweet peace that the
Lord had heard and answered this prayer.
A few days later, Harold got better and went back home. He lived
for a few months and then the Lord called him home to that great
reunion in heaven. Edna's faith and love for her brother was
honored by the Lord. I preached on his funeral and relayed what
had occurred at the ICU hospital room. This was a great comfort
to the family and was a testimony of the love of a sister for
her brother.
Luke 11 verse 23: "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again."
Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier