Let Us Go So We May Die with Him

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ John 11:1-16

Jesus was intent on returning to Judea, where the religious leaders had tempted to stone him. Jesus had stalled in his trip, despite the fact that he knew his friend was dying and his sisters had sent for him. Going to Judea was entering a no-man's land, a very dangerous place where violence was inevitable. Despite the push back from the other disciples, it was Thomas (who we like to call doubting) was the one that led them into battle, followed Jesus where no one wanted to go. They went with no helmets, no pads, and no protection. And that is where Jesus calls us today. To the places where on one will go, where the need is greatest and healing seems too far off.

Precious Creator, who tenderly heal us all

who seeks us in the crevices and dark places

and carries us home to be healed and freed.

We think we can protect ourselves and avoid pain

we huddle behind gates, cameras and alarm systems

thinking we know better than you how to do good.

Lord Jesus, lead us into our Judeas, places we fear

so we might find your beloved entombed today

so we might carry your love and healing to the world. Amen.