When we read and ponder John’s account of Jesus calling Lazarus from the tomb (John 11, 1-45), we tend to focus on the way this reveals the divine power of Jesus in the days leading up to his own death. During the current pandemic of severe and sometimes lethal Covid-19 infection, it is perhaps appropriate to take a different approach and contemplate the perspectives of Lazarus and his sisters.
Jesus and Lazarus were friends and are likely to have been similar in age. His sisters, Martha and Mary were unmarried and were, therefore, probably still in their teens. There is no mention of their parents, so we presume they were dead, and that Lazarus had assumed the responsibilities of the head of the household. The girls were utterly dependent upon him for their welfare and were understandably devastated when he became seriously ill. What were they to do? To whom could they turn for help? Their answer was Jesus, but he was not nearby.
Because the religious leaders in Jerusalem had accused him of blasphemy and tried to arrest him, he had taken himself many miles away, down into the Jordan Valley and across the river to the place where John the Baptist conducted his ministry – a place of inspirational memories and solace for Jesus at that challenging time. The anxious sisters sent a message to Jesus, informing him of their brother’s serious illness; but Jesus was slow in responding and their brother died. How strongly their anxiety and distress resonates with many of us, as we learn of increasing infection and mortality rates from Covid-19, and wonder if or when we and our loved ones will succumb to the illness, and how serious it will be for each of us. We hope and pray that conscientious adherence to the government’s isolation and social distancing policies will be effective in delaying the spread of the disease to ease pressures on our health and social services and perhaps enable some degree of immunity to develop in the community, as increasing numbers experience mild symptoms and recover.
By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in a tomb for four days, and the sisters were being consoled and supported in their mourning by many friends and relatives, as was customary. At the news of Jesus’ approach, first Martha and then Mary joined him at the site of Lazarus’ tomb, growing in confidence, faith and reassurance because of his presence and his words, but still assuming that the tomb contained a stinking corpse. They believed their brother would have lived if only Jesus had arrived before Lazarus was buried, but now it was surely too late.
Jesus wept with them, being deeply moved by their distress, and then drew deeply on his infinite spiritual resources, told them to roll away the stone and called Lazarus to come out. And what of Lazarus? For some time, he may have drifted in and out of consciousness, perhaps with fever and an illness that resembled viral infections as we know them. Then, the next thing he was aware of was his friend’s voice calling him to come out. Where was he? What was happening? Why was it dark and cool? Why was he bound in tight wrappings?
By the power of the Holy Spirit, he wriggled until the bindings loosened. He rolled from the stone slab onto the floor of the tomb and crawled towards the light and the sound of his friend’s voice. What was going on? Why was there a wailing crowd around his friend, and what were his sisters doing here looking so distraught? Was this some strange dream or vision?
Jesus came forward and embraced him, speaking gently with him and explaining what had happened. Slowly and surely the truth of the situation dawned meaningfully in his confused mind. He had died from a serious illness; and been brought back to life so that God’s glory would be revealed through him. What did that mean? Those of us who have been called to Christian ministry may have glimpsed something of the overwhelming sense of awe at such a call, but that could be nothing like the intensity of Lazarus’ experience. Fortunately, Jesus was with him to guide and support him through the undoubted mental and spiritual turmoil of the days that followed. And sometime later, to show their love and appreciation, Lazarus, Martha and Mary provided hospitality, including a celebratory dinner, when Jesus returned to Bethany in readiness for the Passover.
As we journey through Passiontide under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, we can take great comfort from the knowledge that Jesus is there to accompany us through it. We can pray and give thanks to God for the dedication and generosity of health and social care workers, for the diligence of delivery drivers, for supportive friends, neighbours and ministers and for good governance by political leaders. And we can trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and wholeness to those who pray in faith. For some their healing will be into death and eternal life in heaven, for others it will be a difficult journey through serious illness, for many it will be a process of working through the stress and anxiety of extreme busyness, worrying about ailing loved ones, or the trials of prolonged isolation; but we are confident that there will be light at the end of this dark tunnel, and so we pray:
Loving, Creator God, keep us aware of you within and around us, Jesus be with us as our guide, and Holy Spirit inspire and strengthen us as we follow in the way of Christ.
Trustee of the Guild of Health & St Raphael