John
11:1-45
Lord,
if you had been here…..
“Lord, if you had been here my
brother would not have died.”
Did anyone else notice that both sisters
utter exactly the same words? Neither of
them wait for Jesus to speak; neither of them allow him to extend his
sympathies. Both, upon seeing Jesus, are
quick to rush to the same conclusion and to utter the same statement.
“Lord, if you had been here my
brother would not have died.”
This is another incidence in which
tone of voice could make a whole lot of difference. What tone do you think Mary and Martha were
using, when they spoke these words to Jesus?
We don’t have to assume they used
the same tone – and there is always the possibility that in the initial
retelling of the story tone varied so that the story teller could illustrate
how the same statement could be taken to mean two very differing things. We will come back to that; after you have had
opportunity to consider your answer.
What is the tone of voice is used
by Martha/used by Mary when they say to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here……”?
Angry
Confused
Curious
Frustrated
Confident
What I intend to point out about
both of these of these women is their total confidence in Jesus. Both of them seem to be exposing an
unwavering conviction that Jesus – Jesus – could have made everything
different. Regardless of tone of voice,
both of them speak of their confidence that when Jesus is present, death is not
allowed entry.
You are also free to form the
opinion that I am reading too much into this.
And maybe I am taking too great of a leap from what happens to what
might be happening.
In addition to noting that both
sisters utter exactly the same sentence, I also noted that Jesus’ reaction to
the two identical comments differs. When
Mary speaks these words, Jesus is said to be “greatly disturbed in spirit
and deeply moved.” When Martha
speaks, Jesus enters into a theological statement about the plan for
salvation. Jesus tells Martha, “(He)
will rise again.” And discusses with Martha the significance of the one who
lives and will never die. Is there a significance
to these two differing responses? Was
Martha in need of instruction? While
Mary’s only need is for Jesus to be
present?
Don’t forget that the other story
about Mary and Martha. Jesus goes to
their home, remember? When he is there, Martha
is busy fixing the meal while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens. Does Martha need to listen, to what Mary has
already heard?
“Lord, if you had been here my
brother would not have died.”
I do not want to negate my earlier
observation that both of these women used the same words to express a common conviction
that Jesus has the ability to keep death at bay. Both reveal their confidence that Jesus is
the answer and solution to that which hurts them, to that which threatens them.
The first time we speak these
words, it probably is with a degree of frustration. “If you had been here….” If you hadn’t lingered for two additional
days before coming this way……. If you
had been here…. if you had spoken the
right words…… if you had interceded on our behalf…… All of these “If’s”, and each one enough to
make our heat swirl and our hearts break.
The first time we speak these
words, there is a tone of anger – angry that any of this had to happen or would
even need to happen. The first time, we
simply don’t understand why Jesus wasn’t there, or didn’t come, or failed to be
attentive.
The first time, there is an urgency
in our need which will not allow us to be reflective – even about our own
words.
Jesus points out to Martha, that it
doesn’t make any difference whether he was physically present with her or not –
the same thing is going to happen. Jesus
points out to Martha that his being present two days earlier would not have
changed the ultimate outcome. Jesus
being bodily present is immaterial to the gift which is about to be experienced
among them. This reply sets at ease the
fears of those who would read this story in the thousands of years when it was
impossible for Jesus to be physically present.
It isn’t his physical presence which keeps death at bay – it is the
confidence that when his presence is experienced all the good that God intends
is indeed ours.
The first time we ask our question,
there is so much we are unprepared to admit.
The second time is different. The second time, there seems to be less of a
bite or a demand and more of a confession.
Mary isn’t interested in arguing with Jesus about resurrection or life.
Mary seems more prepared to make a statement of faith.
The second time we speak, we are
ready to acknowledge that in Jesus there is this ability. In Jesus we have found the one whom we will
trust.
The second time our faith and
confidence is allowed to show.
Two sisters, trying to make sense
of their brother’s death, utter the exact same words. It isn’t the words which reveal what is on
their hearts. Thankfully, Jesus is able to look beyond the words and
understand. Thankfully, Jesus is able to
move beyond the words and respond.
Amen.
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