In the Presence of the Resurrection

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus - John 11:19-27

Martha comes out to meet Jesus much like she did in the Gospel of Luke, but this time carrying devastation in her heart. Her brother has died, and again she is not shy about what she is thinking.

“Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.”

The grief in her voice must have been palpable. These words aren’t an accusation, they’re an honest expression of belief. She trusts Jesus. And yet, she doesn’t fully understand.

She goes on “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

It’s a stunning moment. This beautiful acknowledgement of Jesus’ identity, and her willingness to surrender to it, all while wading through grief that has pierced her very soul.

As we have seen so many times before, Jesus’ response is personal, intimate, relational, all while telling us exactly who He is: “Your brother will rise…I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

This isn’t some distant promise. It’s a present one. For Jesus is the resurrection, right there in front of her, in the middle of her heartbreak. Not just for Lazarus. Not just for one day down the road. But for her. For us.

Jesus then asks Martha a question “Do you believe this?”

And I find myself asking “Do I believe this?”

Do I believe this when I’m hurting?

Do I believe this when I am lost?

Do I believe this when everything feels like it’s falling apart?

Martha is often portrayed as someone too preoccupied to sit at Jesus’ feet but today we witness her bold, unwavering faith. Her response in the midst of her grief “Yes, Lord.” and more she proclaims who He is “I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

May we, like Martha, all choose this bold faith even in the midst of our sufferings and go out into the world proclaiming: Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.

Amen.

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

The Raising of Lazarus. Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255–1319)