This is Part 3 of a 6-Part Series on Illness, Healing, and Death
6 seemingly insignificant words ... but for the first time, they jumped off the page and into my consciousness. Not only did I notice them, but I understood them -- deeply and profoundly.
Again, you will need some context to understand why they are important.
Prior to Lazarus' illness, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus hosted Jesus in their home for dinner (See Luke 10:38-42). Martha is doing all of the work (I'm guessing she was the oldest!), while Mary (I'm guessing she was the youngest!) was sitting at Jesus' feet hanging on His every word. I get the sense that Mary had a deeply personal relationship with Jesus; she adored Him.
Martha, however, gets irritated that she is having to do everything, and she complains to Jesus about it, and basically asks Him to tell Mary to get her butt in gear and start helping her (my words!). But, instead, Jesus tells Martha that Mary is doing the right thing; she is prioritizing spending time with Him above all else (including doing something for Him). I love that. It really shows how relational Jesus is; He really wants us to know Him, not just serve Him. ... And the former always trumps the latter.
So, here we are some time later, and Lazarus has been sick. And when Jesus finally arrives - after Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days - you would think that Mary would be the first one to rush out to meet Him. ... "But Mary stayed in the house." - John 11:20
Scripture is clear that the women wholeheartedly believed who Jesus was and knew what He was capable of; this was not a lack of faith. I think they wholeheartedly believed that He would provide healing for Lazarus; in fact, I think they were expecting it. He loved all of them so much. He had healed so many people; some who barely knew Him or spent time with Him ... why wouldn't He heal Lazarus?
The bible is clear that Mary is grieving ... but I think, beyond that, Mary is angry. And sad. And disappointed beyond words. She knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus could have healed Lazarus ... but, for some reason, He had chosen not to. Why wouldn't Jesus heal the one she loved?
Here was a woman of great faith; a woman with a deeply personal relationship with Jesus. And yet, she's very human. She feels sad, disappointed, and angry ... and she's not pretending to feel otherwise or trying to will herself into reacting or responding differently.
© I Lift My Voice, 2015.