Some of us have been where Mary and Martha are. We understand. We have been – close to death and dying…sometimes “a little too close,” for our own comfort.
We know what it is like to feel completely “hopeless.” We know what it is like – to “feel resigned” to what is, even though we may “totally resent it”…kicking and screaming…every step of the way.
Life can seem to be “way too unfair.” We have learned “the hard way” that sorrow is a part of the human existence.
There is no escaping it. Sorrow and grief happens and are all too real!
It is difficult “not to note” – that even Jesus is overcome by grief and sorrow…and how it is “out of his love and out of his compassion,” that he too shares fully in the sufferings of others.
No one knows – who it was that first made the observation – Jesus’ ministry begins with the wedding at Cana in Galilee and ends with the funeral of his best friend – Lazaruz…in close proximity to the Holy City of Jerusalem. It is a dangerous place for Jesus to be.
Both events end on a happy note, although chaos is present and Jesus’ fate is sealed.
Sometimes it feels like – this is the only time – families get together anymore! It is kind of a sad commentary on our time and on life and living and of the family structure.
Then, as now, weddings and funerals were filled with a lot of “raw emotion and heightened feelings”…and those who gathered together attempt to demonstrate their bond of loyalty ( or lack of it ) to the immediate family.
It is amazing what goes on…at these events … and the kinds of things that can be said…and how quickly emotions rise and fall and can be trampled on.
Cruelty does raise its ugly head sometimes…even at events such as these!
Then, as now, weddings and funerals were highly structured events – filled with expectations and customs of what was right and proper and just.
These are times of uncertainty and anxiety…or can be!
I seriously want you to know that the church clings to the words of this story – like to “few other sayings” of Jesus.
These words have meaning for us.
These words envelope us and we embrace them back…
“I am the resurrection and the life; they who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me, will never die,” says Jesus.
This one scene of John’s gospel – of Jesus with two grieving sisters, weeping at the grave of their brother (and his friend,) has offered more comfort, solace, and hope that is unmatched by any other resource, biblical or non-biblical.
We cling to these words and hold them fast.
Jesus (himself) is deeply moved in spirit and troubled…by the whole event. We are told that Jesus was deeply moved “again”…and then finally and ultimately that – Jesus weeps.
The shortest verse in the entire Bible, “Jesus wept.”
Let there be no misunderstanding here: Martha and Mary and Lazarus are not simply props for some kind of a religious story.
They are real people.
Jesus is there “real friend and apparently has been for years and years.”
They really loved and cared for one another. They are close – very close.
They are real people trapped in the grips of death and of grief.
God is able to bring to them comfort and life.
Jesus is a real historical person ministering and bringing healing and wholeness to the suffering of others…
So on this All Saints weekend, we are being left with these words:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” It speaks volumes. It speaks to our heart of hearts, it speaks to our wounded hearts and to our empty hearts and to our broken hearts.
And we pray, “it is so.” God, we pray it is so.
We pray with all of hearts. We remember those who have gone on before us. Knowing full well … that one day…we hope to be … exactly where they are…
We look forward to the joy of the celebration of meeting again…of being reunited, to never-ever being separated again.
Together again … for all eternity…and then some…
Let the entire church now say, “Amen.”