Sunday March 10, 2011

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

I think this story, more than the other with the three siblings, is the reason that Martha is my confirmation saint. I do know that she's the example of what we're NOT supposed to do in the other story, the oh-so-busy sister running about getting dinner ready and annoyed that her sister is just sitting there, being in Jesus's presence and listening to His words. But I have always thought that I'm good at praying and theology and need a kick to get off my butt and do anything about it.

Especially because Martha got there first. Both sisters tell Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here my brother would not have died." Full of faith and perhaps a gentle reproof but mostly just that utter confusion and sadness of grief, coming to God for comfort if not for a solution. Love and comfort, rather than a miracle. Because when they asked Jesus stayed three days away.

And it's lovely Martha that points out to Jesus, like He was any other man carried away with grief, that if He opens the tomb the body will stink. The practical facts of death do not cow her, she can face them. She is strong enough. And she is the one thinking of those things, those down to earth things, when the world changes around her. When her world becomes one of miracles. Except perhaps for Lazarus himself, that means that Martha had the most profound experience that day.

And that the tomb opened at her okay. She gave her (at least tacit) permission for Jesus raising a man from the dead - publicly.

I think it is the Marthas who will get there first, running headlong to Jesus for help and comfort. I think she is the one who will gasp in the greatest state of awe and wonder. Her focus on the earthly matters she took so much care over may, at the start, have kept her from seeing God, but when she needed Him and after He reproached her, she was always the first to drop everything and run to Him. Always the most touched by His actions.

Dear Lord, help me to live up to my confirmation saint's example, and bless Dan Trombley in his journey to confirmation coming up on Easter. Help us both to always come running when You call, not only when we have need of Your comfort and love but especially then.