When Jesus returns to the home of Lazarus, he is greeted by a house full of people who have come to sympathise with Mary and Martha. Lazarus is dead and has been in the tomb for four days.
Martha, the one who seems to be the more active, dynamic sister and perhaps the elder of the two, immediately goes out to meet Jesus. The exchange that they have is not one of recrimination – “where have you been or why didn’t you come when we sent for you?” It is a remarkable affirmation of faith in Jesus, that not only could Jesus have prevented Lazarus’s death but that- even now - God will do
whatever he asks. He asks her whether she believes that he is the resurrection and the life, and she acclaims him as the Messiah in a breath-taking act of faith. “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God, the one who was to come into this world.”
He calls for Mary who is a very different personality – intense, and passionate. She throws herself at his feet allowing herself to express her grief – “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Jesus is so moved by her grief and her tears, that it allows him to really access his own human pain and loss. We hear that he asked in great distress where they had put the body and when
they invited him to come and see, Jesus wept. It is the only moment in scripture that we hear of Jesus being moved with pain and grief to the point of tears. We are given a glimpse of the depth of his love and distress. Witnessing Mary’s grief allows him to access his own.
Jesus allows his pain to be witnessed by others. Do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to feel and express our grief; to feel the cost of love when we lose someone to death, or in some other way? Can we hold both the legitimate feelings of grief and the knowing that through Jesus new life is possible?
Where do I need to allow myself to express my grief as Jesus did?
Can I share my times of sadness and grief with him?
Do I believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life?
