Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask him.”
John 11:21-22
The gospel narrative for this Fifth Sunday in Lent presents us with one of the most profound and memorable miracles or “signs,” as John so named them, performed by Jesus: the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary and the “friend whom Jesus loved,” was sick and subsequently died. Upon hearing the news, Jesus was grieved and yet remained where he was for two days. By the time of his arrival to Bethany, Lazarus had been buried in the tomb four days. Family and friends had been gathering at the home consoling Martha and Mary. When Martha hears of Jesus drawing near, we are told she runs to meet him. Grief stricken and greatly disappointed, she tells Jesus, in essence, had he arrived sooner, Lazarus would still be alive. But what Martha says next could be considered an astounding affirmation of faith and abounding hope, “But even now I know God will give you whatever you ask of him.”
During this season of personal and communal reflection, we too are confronted with the complex tension between living the abundant life Jesus promises and facing the reality of death and dying. For many of us, like Martha and Mary, are overwhelmed by personal experiences of loss resulting in grief, disappointment, doubt, and fear.
With our communities, we continue to grow weary over the gun violence ravaging our city streets, our hearts ache with and for the suffering, the marginalized, victims of natural disaster and human tragedies.
Despite the brokenness that exists in the world, the text invites us to embrace a “BUT EVEN NOW” faith in the presence and power of Jesus—the One who weeps with us, challenges us to believe, and continuously calls us by name to emerge from the tombs that hold us captive.
“BUT EVEN NOW” faith loosens the bands that bind us and sets us free to dream beyond all barriers of limitations; to believe burdens can be lifted and shifted, to believe yokes can be destroyed, to believe the crooked can be made straight, chains of oppression can be broken, unjust systems of racism and all “isms” can be dismantled, and to believe wars can and will cease, and to believe for unending peace and unity to abound.
“BUT EVEN NOW” faith for this season of Lent invites us to believe that all things are possible through the resurrection power of Jesus. Through this “sign” of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the author of John demonstrates he truly is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. May we emulate Martha’s “BUT EVEN NOW” faith, believing that through Jesus even the dead places and spaces in our lives can be transformed anew to the glory of God!
In Belief and Anticipation of the Resurrection!
Rev. Dr. Janel Dixon
