When reflecting on the theme of “new life”, the story of Jesus raising Lazurus from the tomb came to mind. I thought to myself “Ah, yes, what a lovely, feel-good story about a resurrection and new life.” 

But then I re-read the story in full. I quickly realized it is full of ugliness and pain. There is the grieving of Martha and Mary. The disciple’s fear of returning to a place where they were nearly stoned to death. Jesus’ frustration at the disciples for their lack of understanding. Mary’s frustration at Jesus for letting Lazurus die. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, weeping. And finally there is the stench from the tomb and the disciples having to remove the cloth that had wrapped a dead body for days. Ugligness. Pain. Stench. It is fair to say that this miracle had a much different atmosphere surrounding it than the wedding at Cana.

And yet, God is able to use all that ugliness and pain to create new life. Not only new life for Lazurus, but also to show that God can create new life in each one of us. The story needs to be messy and ugly because our stories are messy and ugly. Our pasts seem to be filled with sin, shame, guilt, and loss. We, ourselves, are frustrated at Jesus like the sisters were. Like Mary, sometimes we have no desire to go meet our Lord at the edge of the village, and would rather just sit at home. Like the disciples, we are often fearful, and like Lazurus we are often trapped, alone, sick and dying. 

And as Jesus wept for Lazurus, Jesus now weeps for you. As Jesus wept for Mary and Matha’s brother, Jesus now weeps for your brother. 

We are called to weep with Jesus. We are called to run and meet Jesus at the edge of the village. We are called to voice our frustrations and our desires. We are called to embrace our own messy and ugly lives. And most importantly, we are called to walk out of the tomb, allowing the crowd to remove our bandages that entrap us, and to breathe new air in a new life. 

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if she dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” And then He immediately asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” 

So I end with asking you, “Do you believe this?”