As I Walk………..
A Laypersons Journey to Understanding
Our winter this year has been challenging to many, not least those looking out for the best interests of our school aged children. Recently concern has been expressed over the number of “snow days” that have been declared this year, with the resultant loss in “instruction time”. One especially vocal group of parents is calling for schools to be open, no matter what and students and employees finding their own best way there. On the other side are those parents advocating for safety and caution. This leaves the administration and department in a dilemma. No matter what decision is taken, for someone, it will be the wrong one.
During this Lenten time, one of the powerful events discussed in John 11: 1-45, is the death and resurrection of Lazarus.
A particular feature of the narration is the fact that on hearing of the illness of his friend, Jesus did not rush to his bedside, but continued in his ministry.
This decision was not met with universal praise. Drawing on a previous miracle of healing a man that had been blind since birth, recorded in John 9, some in the crowd of onlookers at the wake of Lazarus voiced the concern:
But some of them said, “This is the man who caused the blind man to see!
Couldn’t he have done something to keep Lazarus from dying?1
In response, we have in the next verse:
Jesus, intensely moved again, came to the tomb.2
No matter what decision is taken, for someone, it will be the wrong one. This decision by Jesus is not taken lightly, but considered to the point of intense emotional involvement.
In reading the death of Lazarus, one can readily appreciate the struggle of the Christ with the events as they unfold. The humanity of Jesus is on full display in this story, not only in sadness for the death of his friend, but also for his sorrow for the grief of Mary and Martha and the loss to the community. At the same time it also seems that there are other issues at play that relate to the larger needs of the children of God. Needs that we do not yet understand but demand a response nevertheless. A response that is familiar and near at hand. Clearly, help for one unfortunate man demands the same for another.
No matter what decision is taken, for someone, it will be the wrong one.
In struggling with these thoughts, it brings to mind these words from Isaiah, that for some strange reason I have encountered several times in the last two weeks in various, unrelated articles,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 3
Un Recipiente Vacio
1 John 11: 37
2 John 11: 38
3 Isaiah 55: 8-9
Further Reading: John 11: 1-45 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11&version=NIV
