Trust or Accuse?

             A few months before Jesus’ crucifixion, He suffered an event that all of us have experienced on some level.  His dear friend, Lazarus died.  When we first read of Lazarus’ illness, we can’t understand why Jesus didn’t immediately run to be at His friend’s side.  After all, He had the healing power, and who better to heal than someone He loved?  There are many events in Scripture, like this one, that we don’t understand.  However, God always has a purpose, and this situation was no different.

            When Jesus drew near to the family’s home, Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days.  There was a crowd at the house, mourning and comforting the family, but it was Martha who ran out to meet Jesus.  Always one to say what was on her mind, she blurted out these words, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11: 21 NIV84).  She was probably right.  Even the crowd wondered why the One who could heal the blind could not have saved His friend (John 11: 37).  Even though Mary questioned, she still believed in Jesus’ power.  She immediately followed her accusation of Jesus with these words, “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11: 22 NIV84).  She still had hope that Jesus could do something to make the situation right.

            Jesus may have surprised her with His declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11: 25 NIV84), but that didn’t stop her from confessing His deity.  “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (John 11: 27 NIV84).

            Meanwhile, where was Mary?  She had been the one hanging on Jesus’ every word.  Now, she didn’t even acknowledge His presence.  It was only when Martha went after her, telling her that Jesus was asking for her, that she came to meet Him.  She skipped the niceties and immediately accused Jesus, just as her sister had done.  “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11: 32 NIV84).  At that moment, we get a deeper glance at the humanity of Christ.  He wept! 

            If you’ve read the rest of the story, then you know that Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb.  He came out, still wrapped in his burial clothes, to live again.  This miracle fueled the fire of the Pharisees’ plot to kill Jesus.  At one point, they also made plans to kill Lazarus (John 12: 10).

            The contrast between Mary and Martha and their two encounters with Jesus is startling.  When Jesus came for a visit, it was Mary who sat at His feet, listening to everything that He could teach her.  Martha was more concerned with being the perfect hostess.  When tragedy struck, they both blamed Jesus for not doing something to save their brother.  However, it was Martha who went to Him directly, while Mary stayed home and sulked.  It was Martha who acknowledged Jesus’ power; Mary just accused. 

            No matter where we are in our Spiritual journey, there will be moments of calamity in our lives that will test our faith.  Will we doubt and question as Mary did?  Will we condemn God for not giving us the relief that we so desperately want?  Or will we acknowledge that God is still in control?  He will always do what is best for us, even though it might not seem like it at the time.  Martha trusted Him to make the situation right, and for her, that meant restoring her brother to life.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way.  However, we can stand on Jesus’ commitment that “whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11: 26 NIV84).  Things may not turn out the way we want in this life, but we have the hope of eternity because of Christ.  The question is, will we trust Him or accuse Him?

John 11: 17 - 37