Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."
John 11:17–27 (RSV)
There had been time for Jesus to come and heal his friend, Lazarus. Jesus was sent for while Lazarus still had days to live. Jesus delayed, Lazarus died and was buried. There was no time to wait. The dead were entombed within twenty-four hours of death. This was part of the Jewish custom, but it was also practical. Without embalming, a corpse would not last more than a few hours in the heat of Galilee.
Jesus is far too late. His friend has died. Broken-hearted Martha demands an explanation. Why Jesus? Where were you? What was so vital that you could not rush to Lazarus' side when we called you? None of this was necessary if you had only come.
More times than I care to remember, I have heard similar words on the lips of family and friends of the dead. They had prayed, pleaded with God to send a miracle, and none came. Now they are left with their sorrow and anger at a death that should not have been. Why Jesus, why did you not come?
It is not just the separation of death that wounds us. It is was death does to those we love. We know that it won't be long before the corruption of the flesh takes over. The face we loved and loved us in return will become unrecognizable. We know in time, perhaps only bones will remain, even they will be gone as the ages have passed.
All that death does to us brings fear to our hearts. We try not to imagine what will come, hating the very thought of what must be in the grave. Death appears at its most potent with all that it will do.
Like Martha, our hope in Jesus has run out, stretched to the breaking point and beyond. In the very place where death asserts its ugly power, Jesus speaks a word we so want to believe. 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even if the corruption of death has hold of them, will still live.
At the very place where death appears to at its zenith of power stands Jesus. Death may do horrible things to us, but it cannot prevent the life that Jesus is becoming our life in the age to come.
Yes, we will still hate and fear death for all the harm it brings. We will trust that Jesus is greater still, for He is the Resurrection and the Life. Even though we die, He gives us life.