17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Mary is like so many overwhelmed by grief. In reliving what has happened to her brother she betrays her own frustration and perhaps anger with Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here . . ." This is Mary looking for reason, looking for control, trying to make sense.
"Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died."
Mary's conception of a Messiah is one who would never let a loved one die. If Jesus had been there this would not have happened.
Jesus answers in a gentle reframing, "Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." There is pastoral subtlety here. Jesus' words are soft, yet corrective. Mary is not quite right. There will still be death; but there will also be life. For there shall be a life that will be found even in the dying and a hope in the dead.
"I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus says to Mary. And so, wherever Jesus is there is also resurrection and life -- even in the very midst of death and dying.
If you've ever been present when someone of great faith has died then you will know what this is like. There is a peace in the room, a peaceful and still awe. Death is there; yes. But even more life. No one says, "Lord, if you had only been here." For everyone knows, can feel, that the Lord is there. The one who is resurrection and life is right there."
There is a hush. And a holy silence. And then someone sings a hymn:
"There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it's the presence of the Lord."
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