Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. ” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:18-27)

John 11:1-45

Lazarus was well known not only in Bethany but also in nearby Jerusalem. It made it easy for people to come to the comfort and sympathy of Mary and Martha. Life was not easy for women without a man in the family in those days. Women could even have been left destitute after the death of the man of the home. 

Judging from the costly perfumed oil that Mary had access to, the family was obviously well-off. Mary and Martha would be well cared for after Lazarus’ death. But no amount of money makes up for the death of a loved one. And so, Martha voices her disappointment to Jesus: if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died. 

Jesus tests Martha’s faith – whether she believes that He is the resurrection and the life, and that those who believe will never die. Even in her grief, Martha could make her statement of faith, that she believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God who came into the world.

In our grief, do we see Jesus in the people who come to comfort us? In the midst of our grief, are we able to make our faith in Jesus known – that we who believe will never die? 

God of compassion,
May we know that you comfort us through the people you send to us. May we hold onto our faith in Jesus, 

that we who believe will never die. 
Amen.
 

Reflections by Adri Sutherland

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