Monday 30 March 2009

Background

The death and resurrection of Lazarus is a foretaste of thedeath and resurrection of Jesus himself (John 19-20). Thismiracle only appears in John's Gospel, and is placed between twopassages which speak of mounting opposition to Jesus. In theprevious chapter, we have been told of those who wished to stonehim (John10:31) and later in this chapter will learn of new plots tohave him arrested and killed (John11:46-57).

Even though this is the first time Mary, Martha and Lazarus arementioned in John's Gospel, we are left in no doubt they are verygood friends of Jesus. Indeed, we are told plainly that "Jesusloved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5). These arealmost certainly the same two sisters who, according to Luke'sGospel, react so differently when Jesus first visits their home (Luke 10:38-42) andwhen their brother Lazarus becomes seriously ill, there is a clearexpectation that Jesus will rush to his bedside to heal him (John 11:3).

But contrary to expectations, Jesus allows Lazarus to die and thesisters to enter a time of profound grieving. He does so "for God'sglory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John11:4).

It is whilst Lazarus is still dead and buried that Jesus says toMartha, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). This isthe fifth of seven "I am" sayings recorded uniquely in John'sGospel. Jesus has already said:

"I am the bread of life" (John 6:41)
"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5)
"I am the gate for the sheep" (John 10:7)
"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11).

In later chapters he will say:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John14:6)
"I am the true vine" (John 15:1).

For those familiar with the story of Moses and the burningbush, these sayings will resonate with God's self-description "I AMWHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). The author of this Gospel wants the readerto know that Jesus is the Son of God to be glorified.

To Ponder

It was whilst she was still in the depths of hergrief that Martha was urged by Jesus to believe she would see theglory of God. What is your experience of witnessing God workthrough apparently hopeless situations?

We see in her conversation with Jesus how Marthatries to make sense of her faith convictions in the midst ofterrible personal circumstances. How do you make sense of yourfaith when times are hard?