Near Jerusalem in the village of Bethany, lived two sisters Mary and Martha, with their brother Lazarus. They were close friends of Jesus who stayed in their home whenever he came to Jerusalem, as Bethany was only three kilometers away from town.

Martha, Mary and Lazarus loved Jesus. Martha used to cook nice meals for him and Mary would sit at his feet and listen to his teachings. She loved him so much that she gave him a very expensive present. A bottle of perfume made of pure nard.

One day Lazarus fell ill. At once his sisters sent word to Jesus that his friend was unwell. They expected Jesus to come immediately, and waited anxiously for him as they nursed their brother. But the days went by and there was no sign of Jesus. Lazarus was getting worse by the day. The sisters were really worried now. They wondered why Jesus didn’t come, and what in the world was delaying him.

Then what they feared most happened. Their brother Lazarus died. They buried him on the same day, as was their custom. They cried and mourned for their brother along with all the friends and relatives who had come to the funeral. Jesus however did not appear even at the funeral. Had Jesus forgotten his friends?

He had not. He loved them and knew all the time what was going on at Bethany. Yet when he had heard the news about Lazarus’ illness he was in no hurry to get there. He told his disciples “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”. Hearing this, the disciples thought that Lazarus was well and they didn’t need to go to Judea where Jesus was hated. But after two days all of a sudden Jesus said, “Let us go to Bethany! Lazarus is dead”. They then set off to Bethany where they arrived four days after Lazarus’ burial.

While Jesus was still outside Bethany, Martha got word that he was coming and hurried to welcome him. Mary stayed home with the visitors. Martha reproved him saying, “Oh Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask for”.

“Your brother will rise to life” Jesus told Martha.

Of course Martha knew that her brother would rise to life on the last day. But now Jesus told her that whoever believed in him would live, even though he was dead, and whoever believed in him would never die. Martha didn’t understand what it was all about but she trusted Jesus.

Mary came out, saw Jesus and fell at his feet weeping, “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died”. When Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping, his heart was touched. He asked, “Where have you buried him?” “Come and see Lord”, they answered. Jesus wept. “See how much he loved him”, the people whispered. The tomb was a cave with a stone placed at the entrance. “Take the stone away”, Jesus ordered. Everyone was startled. The Jewish law prohibited the opening of a grave after it had been closed and sealed. People were not allowed to go nearer than ten meters away from the grave. Martha hurried to explain to Jesus that since he had been buried four days, there would be a bad odor. Jesus reassured Martha saying, “If you only believe you will see the glory of God”. They took the stone away. Jesus looked up and spoke to his Father. He called out in a loud voice,

“Lazarus come out!”

People screamed in terror when they saw Lazarus coming out, with hands and feet wrapped in grave clothes and a cloth around his face. Jesus asked them to untie him. Their fear turned to joy when they saw that Lazarus was alive. They rejoiced with Mary and Martha who had got their brother back, whole and well. Mary and Martha now understood that Jesus was a faithful friend who would never forsake them.

Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is a true friend ready to help at all times. He does not leave or turn his friends away. Do you want to be his friend? All you need to do is ask.

(Adapted from Mt 15: 29 – 38)