Mary, a woman of thought

 

Monday Morning

My heart is broken. I cannot believe Lazarus is gone.  O Gracious One, why do you deny my prayer? What could we have done differently? Even now my sister Martha has gone out to meet Jesus, Lazarus’ dear friend.  How can it be that we are such close friends with a miracle-worker, and we didn’t get the miracle we needed? 

Your ways O God are so mysterious, so far beyond my thinking.  I want to trust that your plan for our lives is good, but I cannot see what good can come from the death of my dear Lazarus.  Even now O Holy One, I believe you hear my prayer. 

 

Monday Noon

Shortly after my morning prayer, Martha arrived home with Jesus at her side.  He looked like he had been crying.  He embraced me and I felt a powerful sense of calm and comfort.  He genuinely loved my brother, and immediately wanted to know where we laid him.  On the way and when we arrived at the tomb Jesus was crying.  I wanted to say something to comfort him, but I just couldn’t get the words out.  Martha did though, she is always so self-assured. 

Jesus commanded that the tomb be opened, and Martha spoke up immediately, reminding him that Lazarus had been there four days. Not to be stopped, Jesus motioned to do it and the stone was rolled away.  He said to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”  I got a twinge in my heart, a feel of expectancy. Jesus prayed, saying something similar to my thoughts this morning about God always hearing my prayer.  His confidence before God was so beautiful, he asked “that they may believe”… I wasn’t sure what he was asking, but I hoped with all my might that he would ask God to raise my brother to life again.

All of a sudden Jesus shouted, “Lazarus Come out!”  You could hear everyone gasping.  For what seemed an eternity, but was only a moment, my heart stopped.  Then my brother, still banded and face covered, hobbled out.

We quietly took him home, Jesus stayed with him in a far room, comforting, teaching, explaining things to him, but Martha and I got busy preparing a meal.   This is the first time Jesus has been in our house that Martha stayed to help me and just left Jesus and Lazarus alone. 

I believe with all my heart in the resurrection, that God can and will raise us on the last day, and I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God.