We hear little in the Gospel about the impact of this most significant of all miracles on those most closely involved. What was it like for Lazarus to know that he was dead and in the tomb for four days and now is alive again? Deep gratitude, incomprehension, an even deeper sense of who Jesus his close friend is. How did he live with the awareness of the extraordinary
gift of having been brought back from the dead? Allow yourself to imagine the conversation that Jesus and Lazarus would have had when they were alone together.
Imagine the impact on Mary and Martha, those closest to Lazarus. The extraordinary gift of having the person you most love, who you have lost to death, brought back to life. The closest experience I have is of almost losing my younger sister who had a heart operation at the age of 21. There were complications with internal bleeding, and for a few dreadful hours we did
not know if she would make it. I remember so vividly the utter relief and joy when we were told that they had stopped the bleeding and she would be ok. When I spend time with my sister and the children she later had I often recall the enormous gift of life given on that day, so many years ago. When we think of Martha and Mary, it is beyond imagining to think of the relief and joy of being sure that someone you love is gone and finding that you can again hug them and hold them
and continue to plan the future with them.
We know that not long after there was a supper at their home and Jesus was there. Mary, the younger sister, was moved to fetch a jar of expensive fragrant oils and to break and lavishly pour it on the feet of Jesus and wipe them with her hair. She was anointing the body of her dear friend for burial, though it is unlikely she knew that at the time. Perhaps for her in
that moment it was a gesture of profound gratitude to Jesus who had brought her brother back to life.
What was the impact on those who witnessed the event? They surely could not stop talking about it and trying to make sense of it. And some now believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
And for Jesus himself, this moment is pivotal in his life and ministry. He had withdrawn to the far side of the Jordan when some had wanted to stone him. Now in coming back to Jerusalem and in performing this most significant of miracles he is right back in the fray, in the midst of the political manoeuvring of those who want rid of him. What were the mix of feelings he
was holding – sharing in the joy of his closest friends; aware that his disciples don’t fully grasp the implications and perhaps afraid and yet increasingly clear that a time of suffering is beginning?
Choose one of the characters in the story, Lazarus, Mary, Martha or Jesus and have a conversation with them after the events of the raising of Lazarus. Listen to them share their experience with you and share your own reactions and feelings.
