The Raising of Lazarus

John, one of the gospel writers, wrote an account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 1-44). Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary. The siblings lived in Bethany. Jesus was best friends with Lazarus. We can see this when the sisters sent word to Jesus saying, "Master the one you love is ill."

After the raising of Lazarus, the siblings gave a dinner party for Jesus. Mary was the one who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume while Lazarus sat down with Jesus.

In another story apart from the raising of Lazarus which is found in Luke 10: 40, Martha complained to Jesus to ask Mary to help her serve meal. Perhaps, we can assume that the sisters were friends with Jesus with the way they act and talk openly to him.

Before the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus made a lot of enemies in Jerusalem. The Jews nearly stoned him there because he claimed that he was the son of God. They were blasphemous words which made them furious. So, Jesus retreated to Jordan, near the place where he was baptized by John, to escape them. It was not yet the appointed time for his arrest.

When Jesus heard of the news that Lazarus was severely ill, perhaps, to the point of death. Jesus said to his disciples in John 11:4, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Jesus then decided to go back to Judea.  

Bethany and Jerusalem belonged to the region to Judea. Bethany is near Jerusalem which is about 3.2 kilometers. So there's a big risk that Jesus might be arrested or stoned, if they heard that Jesus was nearby. His disciples even questioned him if it was a good idea to visit Lazarus. Despite the risk, Jesus headed for Lazarus' hometown - Bethany, though it was days late. 

Upon his arrival in Bethany, the two sisters met Jesus and they both said that if he had arrived earlier his brother would not have died. Jesus was sad when he saw Lazarus dead, but he assured the sisters that Lazarus will wake up especially if they believed that Jesus can do it. He boldly told Martha (John 11: 25-26), "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." Martha believed in him.

Jesus instructed them to open the tomb and out came Lazarus alive and well. Some Jews who witnessed the raising of Lazarus went to the top Pharisees in Jerusalem and told them what had happened. From that day, Jesus became a marked man and a fugitive because he posed a threat to the Pharisees. Many are turning to Jesus because of the Lazarus miracle.

As I was reading the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, it evoked inspirations about facing today's Covid-19 pandemic. Especially, when it hits close to home. It's sad and scary when family members become infected with the virus. It was, perhaps, the same feeling that Martha and Mary felt when Lazarus was ill. Jesus' presence will comfort us as he comforted the sisters. 

Jesus will surely go out of his way, just like what he did for his friend Lazarus, and heal our family members who have fallen ill. It was a big risk for him to see Lazarus but he still went.

 Jesus will go out of his way and use healthcare workers as his instruments to deliver his miraculous healing. Let us pray for the continued strength and courage of all healthcare workers fighting to save lives from the virus and other illnesses.

The Covid-19 pandemic has covered us with the fear of death. Let us draw courage on what Jesus had said to Martha about death. He had fulfilled those words when he conquered death with his resurrection. 

Finally, Jesus offers his friendship to us just like his friendship with Lazarus and his sisters. To nurture that friendship, we only need to have faith in him and live his words of love and repentance.