As
we enter the season of Lent, we take time to ask God daily, “What do I need to
do differently? What needs to change in my life?” We ask this prayer that we
might grow closer to God during these 40 days. Traditionally, Christians have
given up something for this season—a food, a drink, a practice, a behavior.
Some give up chocolate and some give up social media. Giving up something is a good practice
that parallels Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness at the beginning of his
ministry. In more recent times, we have also seen Lent as a time to embrace new
things, new habits. In today’s reading, Martha and Mary must do both—let go of
old ideas and embrace new understandings.
Today’s
reading focuses on the conversation between Martha and Jesus. Martha is the
very straight-forward, all-business one of the two sisters, and she gets straight
to the point here. “Where were you?!?” She knows that if Jesus has been there,
her brother, Lazarus, would not have died. She is broken-hearted and furious…but
she also has hope: “…even now God will give you whatever you ask…?” Right? Won’t
he? Please?
Jesus
tells her that her brother will rise again, and she presumes he’s talking about
the end of days, the final resurrection. Jesus then speaks those words upon
which we hang our faith: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one
who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives
by believing in me will never die” (v.25-26). Jesus has a very different “resurrection”
in mind. And, he asks Martha, “Do you believe this?”
Martha
doesn’t mince words and she doesn’t try to deceive. She speaks honestly: “I
believe you’re the Messiah.” And how does Jesus react to this evasive answer?
Jesus accepts Martha where she is…just as God accepts and receives us where we
are. One of my favorite stories in Jesus’ ministry is that time a father brings
his son to be healed, and Jesus asks if he believes. His response? “I believe—help
my unbelief!” Jesus accepts us where we are....
Jesus
goes to the tomb of Lazarus and calls Lazarus out—“Come out!” And, he comes out…alive.
This moment changes Martha, Mary, and everyone there. Their understandings of
death and resurrection must die, and they must take on new understandings of Jesus,
of God’s power over death. They must let go of things and take on new things.
This
Lenten season can be a time of new life—resurrection—for us as we allow habits,
relationships, feuds, behaviors, attitudes, grudges, pet-beliefs, or other
things die that are sucking the life out of us. We can take up new habits and
practices, make room for and embrace new beliefs and understandings that give us new life. Then,
when Easter Sunday arrives, we can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and
the new life God has given us this season.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Towards the Cross - Lazarus
Watch/Listen:
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment