Answers
Sometimes we think if we just had a chance to talk to Jesus one-on-one, we could get answers.
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world." When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. - John 11:17-29
Martha, a dear friend who knew him well, didn't get the answer she could understand.
Are we supposed to live this life confused?
I won't say we are in the dark because Jesus is the light, but even when we get close to the light, we need help.
We are like Martha, thinking we understand fully, only to find out we miss the point.
Her brother will be raised now, not at some future date. How would she have understood that?
Well, she did believe that he wouldn't have died if Jesus was there, so shouldn't she have thought he could do the impossible and bring him back after he was dead for so long?
We don't expect that to happen today. We are just as practical about these things as Martha.
Should we expect a miracle after life has ended?
How many of us would feel guilty if we found out we should?
But Jesus doesn't do miracles the way he used to. He doesn't show himself.
Does that mean he isn't with us?
More to come...