Grief and Gratitude

 

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44 ESV).

 

Our reading today presents the striking miracle of Jesus when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Perhaps the most unusual detail about Jesus’ miracle the intimacy of this story. Jesus’ human connection of friendship, caring, and grief with Mary and Martha over Lazarus’s death shows that Jesus is like us. Jesus built friendships. He expressed feelings and emotions. He experienced sorrow and empathy. Further, I believe that when Jesus cried out for Lazarus to come from the tomb, that cry rose from a grief not only for his friend but also for all humanity stuck in death’s grip. As he stood before that tomb of death, Jesus’ heart broke (cf. v. 35).

 

But death and grief don’t win the day here. They don’t have the last word. God is the one whose breath animates every living thing. And Jesus the Son is so intimately connected to the Father that there’s no doubt about the Father hearing his prayers. Jesus prays aloud for the benefit of those around him: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”

 

Then Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. With the power of God, Jesus looks death square in the face without fear, though he knows how frightened we are by it. Jesus can stand at the graveside with gratitude because he knows God’s plan to bring us life through his own death. And today he wants you and me to know it too. Believe the good news. Celebrate the incredible miracle of Jesus’ work on our behalf to insure eternal life. This is the foundation of all gratitude.