Jesus wept.
All Souls All Saints
Mary wept. Martha wept. Jesus wept. The story about Lazarus’ death and resurrection reminds us that grief is inescapable and beckons us to grieve with faith. John 11:1-44
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were disciples, benefactors and friends of Jesus. Jesus dined, slept, and taught in their home. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent this message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” John 11:3
Lazarus died before Jesus arrived. Jesus let Lazarus die. He told his disciples,
“This illness …is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it…. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” John 11:4 & 14
Jesus used Lazarus’ death to teach and empower. Can you allow God to instruct and strengthen you in the midst of your losses and difficulties? Lazarus had been dead four days by the time Jesus arrived. When Martha heard Jesus was in town, she left the house and walked to meet with him. Weeping she told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21 Martha believed Jesus was the Son of God. She knew he could have prevented her brother’s death. Martha called Jesus to account for allowing Lazarus to die even as she hoped to convince Jesus to raise him from the dead. Jesus reassured her saying, “Your brother will rise again.” John 11:23 Martha responded, “I know Lazarus will rise at the resurrection on the last day, but today he is dead; right now I am in pain because of his death and your tardiness.” John 11:21 & 24 Martha expressed her regrets to Jesus. “If only” thoughts are part of the grieving process. While providing pastoral care to people in the aftermath of death, I have heard many regrets: if I had called to check on him; if she had called a taxi instead of driving after drinking; if he had only listened to doctors; if I had been more attentive. Martha experienced a jumble of emotions: frustration and faith; regret and hope. Martha believed and grieved at the same time. Are you sharing your regrets with God?
After this exchange, Martha returned home, located her sister, and told her privately that Jesus wanted to see her. As soon as Mary heard this, she leapt from her seat, and ran out of the house. The people sitting shiva with Mary followed her. When Mary and the crowd following her reached Jesus, she knelt at his feet crying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32 The people who saw and heard this wept. Mary and Martha uttered the same words. This is not a coincidence. The Gospel arranged for Martha and Mary to give voice to a sentiment echoed through the ages. Why? Why did God allow my loved one to die? How could God let innocent people suffer, starve, and die in wars taking place in Gaza and the Sudan. Why would God allow a hurricane to destroy the livelihoods and lives of people in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica? Can’t God do something to stop the government shutdown so the poorest of the poor do not lose food and early childhood education services? Are you demanding explanations from God? God hears and responds to us. Jesus heard and responded to Mary. He responded without words.
When Jesus saw Mary (sic) weeping and the crowd (sic) who came with her weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. …so he (sic) wept. John 11: 33 & 35
Martha wept, Mary wept, and Jesus wept. Jesus wept because he was stricken by the consequences of his ministry. He was stricken by the realities of human life. John 11:35 is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus cries. His tears reveal his compassion and empathy. His sorrow offers us a glimpse of God’s character. When wars rage, when natural disasters strike, when people suffer, when people or animals die, God grieves. God grieves with us. God grieves because of us when our faithless, selfish, and sinful behaviors inflict pain on us or others. God is affected by what happens to us. This hymn points to this truth.
There's a wideness in God's mercy like the wideness of the sea; there's a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth's sorrows are more felt than up in heaven; there is no place where earth's failings have such kindly judgement given. 1982 Hymnal #470
As you grieve, are you allowing yourself to experience God’s compassion and empathy?
After having a good cry, Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried. He asked for the stone covering the entrance to be moved. Jesus, who turned water into wine, had the power to move the stone himself. The Gospel records his request for assistance to remind us that God’s salvation plan requires our participation. Perhaps there would be more miracles and more answers to prayers, if people were willing to partner with God. Are you assisting God with your time, talents, and treasure?
After people moved the stone, Jesus prayed before the open tomb,
Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this out loud (sic) for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe… John 11:42
The way Jesus prays offers another lesson. God hears us. God always listens to us. We can ask God why there is loss and suffering. Because God cares enough to listen, we have permission to hope.
The feast days of All Souls and All Saints invite us to remember family, friends, and pets who have died. The story about Lazarus’ death and resurrection reminds us that while grief is inescapable, we can grieve for those we love, but see no more, with faith. Martha, Mary and Jesus wept. Their examples invite us to grieve with faith. Can you allow God to use your losses and difficulties to instruct and strengthen you? Will you let God empower you to name your regrets and strengthen you to demand explanations? Grieving with faith will give you access to God’s compassion and empathy. Grieving with faith furthers our partnership with God as we share our time, skills, and money? Martha and Mary grieved with faith. We too can grieve with faith.
