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Where was Jesus when they
needed him? Jesus was a regular visitor to the home of Martha, Mary, and
Lazarus. Martha loved to make his favorite dishes for supper. Mary loved
to sit at his feet and listen to him as he discussed the issues of the
day with her brother Lazarus. When Lazarus became seriously ill, it was
only to be expected that they would send word to Jesus. The days went by
and no word from the Master.
What must they have thought? Did he not realize how serious this
sickness had become? Perhaps he was afraid of another confrontation with
the Pharisees. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene Lazarus was
already in the tomb for four days. It is no surprise that the first
words out of Martha’s and Mary’s lips sounded like a rebuke, “Lord, if
you had been here, my brother would not have died.” In crises we often
think that Jesus does not comprehend what we are going through.
John makes it clear from the beginning that Jesus knew exactly what was
going on with Lazarus. Jesus declared that the illness would not end in
death, but in the glory of God. When the time comes for Jesus to
begin the journey to Bethany the disciples are frightened for his safety
and probably for their own. They just tried to stone you there, they
remind him. Walk in the light and you will not stumble, Jesus tells
them. He was never afraid of the Pharisees. He understood them. They did
their work in secret, he must do his work in the light.
Jesus tried to explain to the disciples what must be done. “Our friend
Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” As was often the case,
the disciples misunderstood Jesus. “If he is asleep, he will be saved.”
Again Jesus corrected them. “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for
you that I was not there, that you may believe.” Great events unfolded
from Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The faith of the disciples and
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, as well as many of the Jewish folk who had
come out to see them, was strengthened. It was another sign that God’s
power of life over death was at work in Jesus. According to John’s
gospel it was the ultimate reason that the Sanhedrin plotted to kill the
Lord. From a life giving act came Jesus’ death. The high priest
convinced the Sanhedrin that it was better for one man to die than for
the whole nation to perish. In the end that one man’s death brought life
to the whole nation, even to the whole world.
Often we do not recognize the
hand of God in the events of our lives. The death of a parent or loved
one, the loss of a job, there are many events which leave us feeling
helpless and asking, “Jesus, where are you?” In today’s gospel we are
told that Jesus is keenly aware of our troubles. We need to keep our
faith as Martha and Mary did that the promises of God will be fulfilled.
Help me, Lord, to trust in you. Thy will be done, Lord. Thine, not mine.
Help me to believe that you bring good out of everything that happens in
my life.
Some day even through my death will come your gift of new life.
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