“Do You Believe?”
The Death of Lazarus
Links:
Text:
John 11:1-44
The Setting:
Jesus final weeks of ministry prior to his death, took place in and around the town of Bethany which was also where the home of Martha, Mary & Lazarus was located. In the Gospel of John Martha is the dominant figure in this episode. Their sister Mary was also present. The death of Lazarus is central to the story.
Retelling the story:
What follows is a retelling based on the Biblical narrative. It is a composite of the episode from the Gospel. It is by reading into the silences around the events and the people in the text that this imagined reflection is written.
Martha reflects:
As I look back on the events that occurred before our friend and Teacher Jesus was arrested I am glad that my sister Mary, my brother Lazarus and I were able to share special times with him. We were devastated when our dear brother Lazarus took ill. For days we tended to him. Friends brought us healing herbs and oils. Nothing seemed to work.
Mary and I were very anxious. We sent Jesus a message hoping that he would come to heal Lazarus. Jesus never came. A few days later Lazarus died. We wrapped his body in burial cloths and laid him in a cave with a large stone at the opening. A few days later Jesus arrived with his disciples. I faced him angrily. “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. Even now I know that God will do anything you ask.” Jesus said to me “Your brother will live again”. My impatience with him must have shown when I said that I knew that my brother would live again. Jesus replied “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?” I replied “Yes Lord! I believe that you are Christ, the Son of God. You are the one we hoped would come into the world.” I got up and ran to get my sister.
Mary reflects:
I was in the house crying and mourning the death of my brother when Martha burst in saying that the Teacher was here and was asking for me. Some of the women who were mourning with me ran by my side. As I met him I fell to my knees and cried “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died”. As I continued to weep I saw the tears in Jesus’ eyes as he wept for his friend Lazarus. I led him to the cave where we had placed Lazarus. Martha reminded him that Lazarus had been dead for days and that the smell of death would be unbearable. Someone moved the stone from the entrance to the cave. Jesus then prayed thanking God for hearing his prayer that would make all those present believe that God had sent him. He then said “Lazarus come out!” Our brother walked out of the cave, still wrapped in his burial cloths. Jesus said “Untie him and let him go.”
Our family was restored. Many of those who were watching placed their faith in Jesus.
Ponder:
The two sisters believed that Jesus would respond immediately to their cry for help. He didn’t.
Are there times when our faith in God is tested when our expectations are not met or our cries not heard?