Written by Jonathan Melton
John 11:20 (NRSV) When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.
Lazarus’s death presents a heart-wrenching challenge to Mary and Martha’s relationship with Jesus. Just a few chapters ago, Mary is lauded for sitting at Jesus’ feet and choosing the “better portion.” Now, she stays at home and lets Martha walk the long road to meet their teacher. For her part, Martha is direct in her anger. In tomorrow’s reading, Jesus will ask where they have laid Lazarus’s body, and the people will parrot back the phrase Jesus used to call the disciples, “Come and see.”
Like Mary, we have days when death—actual or metaphorical, of loved ones or dreams—makes it hard for us to get up and go to meet Jesus. Some days we stay at home, wounded and grieving the loss of a hoped-for future. But when Jesus sends word that he’s coming, Martha gets up quickly. We too find our own feet. We find our deepest disappointments overcome by the news that Jesus has not left us alone in our grief, that he is coming to hold us, to make all things new, and we rise to our feet, moving toward the hope that is resurrection and life.
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