Even though we know how the story ends, Jesus’ initial response to the news that his friend Lazarus was desperately ill is baffling. Yes, on the whole, the account is very hopeful and demonstrates the power of Jesus, even over death itself, but it sure doesn’t start out that way.
We already know that Lazarus, along with his sisters Martha and Mary, have a special relationship with Jesus. In fact, the note from the two sisters informing Jesus that Lazarus is dangerously sick, reads, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
If Jesus does indeed cherish Lazarus, then it is especially troubling that Jesus does not head right over to Lazarus’ home. Not only does he not leave immediately, but he deliberately lingers for another two full days. No doubt his disciples were astounded at Jesus’ behavior. We can imagine them saying things like, “Uh ... Master, shouldn’t we be leaving?” or “Lord, did you understand how sick your friend really is?” or “Is there anything we can do to help wind things up here?”
Jesus’ behavior even seems callous given the fact that once he does arrive at Lazarus’ home, the man has been dead and buried for four days.
Of course, from that moment, Jesus joins the sisters in their grief, even to the point of weeping himself. And then, as we know, he calls Lazarus forth from the grave, and the man emerges, fully resuscitated.
From that end of the story, we can look back and view Jesus’ loitering somewhat differently, for clearly he knew that he would be restoring Lazarus to life. But even at that, it still seems unfeeling of him to have let the two sisters suffer grief for those extra days. But he did, and it puzzles us.
A voyage of exploration
Let’s leave that question about Jesus there for a moment and turn our attention to a puzzling situation from another place and time. From 1792 to 1794, British Captain George Vancouver led a fleet of two ships, the Discovery and the ...approximately 1,696 words remaining. You are not logged in. Please see options at the top of this page to view complete sermon.
