If Only Jesus Had Been Here

I attended a wonderful worship service on Sunday, March 26, the 5th Sunday in Lent. While attending First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, the assigned readings (Ezekiel 37:1-4, Romans 8:1-11, John 11:1-45) were powerful. The hymns and the music hit home and spoke to my heart. The children’s message by First Lutheran member Patti Bolser taught the story well, and brought laughter to the children, and the rest of the congregation. And, Pastor John Glover’s sermon brought power and hope from God based on the account in John 11 about Lazarus. As a pastor I pray that when I preach my sermon goes well. But, when the whole service speaks God’s love so plainly, it is rare. I left worship last Sunday especially uplifted in my Christian faith!

In Pastor Glover’s sermon on John 11, the account of raising Lazarus, he pointed to the words both Martha and Mary spoke to Jesus. Jesus had known that Lazarus was ill, but did not return to Bethany and heal His friend. Jesus told His disciples, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Later Jesus informed His disciples, 14 . . . "Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." (John 11:4, 14-15) So, when their brother Lazarus died, the words of his sisters, Mary and Martha, were understandable. In verse 21, Martha tells Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (Jn. 11:21 ESV) Those are the exact same words spoken by Martha’s sister, Mary, in verse 32.

It is possible to read regret into the words of these women. As the friends of the family pointed out, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?" (John 11:37) However, Pastor Glover suggested that we could also hear anger in the words of these women. I agree with Pastor Glover. In fact, I also hear them accusing Jesus. It is possible that the women were saying to Jesus, “Jesus, you say that you care. But the lack of your presence does not show your love.” Anger is a normal part of grief, and we see that anger in the words of these friends of Jesus. They spoke truthfully concerning what was in their heart.

Pastor Glover pointed to another surprising truth that, along with these sisters, Jesus also was angry! He showed His anger with His tears. God is angry at how sin brings suffering and death into the world and assaults His children. That is why Jesus came to this world, to take on sin, to die, and to rise. He came to overcome sin, and to bring God’s love, and life.

Pastor Glover’s assertion also goes with something else which I was hearing in this reading, something the ladies missed in their grief. Martha and Mary accused Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” However, they missed that, in a very real way, Jesus was there. Jesus stayed away physically during Lazarus’ illness. But Jesus knew what was happening to Lazarus. He also knew the miracle which He would soon perform, the miracle of calling His dead friend out of the grave. Jesus knew His purpose of remaining away from Bethany, and His purpose in raising Lazarus. Jesus’ purpose was to glorify His Heavenly Father, and to grow faith in His followers. But, in truth and in love, Jesus was present in Martha and Mary’s time of need.

How often, when we face the pain, the suffering, and the losses of life, do we wonder, “Where was Jesus? Why wasn’t He here when I needed Him?” Perhaps, Jesus, the man, wondered the same thing as He suffered on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) But, the writer to the Hebrews assures those who meditate on His writing, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’" (Hebrews 13:5) Consider that God also inspired David to write in Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) In other words, even when we feel forsaken, as Martha and Mary did, God is with us. When we really need our Lord, even in times of trouble, He is really present.

We live in a world of sin, our sin, and the sin of those around us as well. The sin and rebellion against God in this world wreaks havoc on our lives, and brings pain, and suffering, and death. Like Martha and Mary, we may be led to ask “Where were you, Lord, when I really needed you.” Thankfully, Jesus knows what happens in our lives, and He is present.

As Pastor Glover says, “In the midst of the worst of times, Jesus is angry along with us at the sin and the pain and death which sin brings into our lives.” But, even though we may wonder where He is during these horrible trials, Jesus is with us through our losses and trials. He is with us in His power, in His love, and in His compassion.