I
t occurred to none of us to doubt that Jesus was correct that the illness was not life threatening. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, amazingly he continued to teach and preach for two more days. I could not help but consider the callousness of it. The sisters would not have sent the servant had the illness not been grave, but Jesus had sent him back with the promise, "We will follow soon." But two days? I was confused. And then after this time he said, “Now is the time to return to Judea.” I was thoroughly puzzled. It appeared as though he deliberatedly stayed the extra time for a rationale that escaped my simple mind. And why did he mention "Judea" as our destination instead the home of Lazarus – as though we were returning to minister to the people of the area instead of the specific purpose of seeing Lazarus? I had nothing but the message of Jarud on my mind for this interminable time that we waited. I didn't know if Jesus would really go to them or not. And now he said that we return to Judea?
John seemed to have forgotten about Lazarus, too. Ever the cautious one, he pointed out that “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and now you are going back there?”
Jesus responded with one of his frustrating, enigmatic epithets, “There are twelve hours in the day. A man who walks by day will not stumble, because he sees by the light of the day. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles. He has no light. So, while it is yet day, I will walk.”
Why does he do that? I wondered to myself. Why doesn't he just say what he means? Anyone could speculate what he means. My speculation was that he viewed his life and ministry as his "twelve hour day," and that he intended to busy himself about his work during that time, lest night would come with the work unfinished. As I reflect back on the events that occurred, I am certain that he knew full well what he would do concerning Lazaurus and that the delay would play directly into that series of events.
Then Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”
This was good news indeed. Lazarus was entering the fifth phase of the six phases of recovery and healing. "This is good, Lord," said Thomas. “If he sleeps, he will get better. It will do him good.” All of us thought that he meant natural, healing sleep. But Jesus meant something else entirely.
“Lazarus is dead.” The shock was profound. Restrained silence. None of us knew what to say. None of us could speak. Grief had stunned all of us but it seemed to affect Thomas the most. He said, “Then let us go, that we may die with him.” Dear Thomas. Every thing he said was tinged with melodrama.
“I am glad I was not there," said Jesus evenly. "Now we will go to him and God my Father will be honored. I will give you reason to believe.”
