Three siblings from the New Testament
Series: Like you and me | Bible text: 1 John 4:19–21
We humans are so different, and so are we Christians. We have our days. We have our imprints. We have our preferences. We have our expectations. We have our inclinations… Is a close brotherly and sisterly togetherness in the church possible at all? Comment from Jesus: All things are possible to him who believes!
A girl once commented as follows «I’m glad I have my brother, even though some days I could wring his neck with the greatest pleasure! He can be so terribly mean and nasty. But I just like him.» Today we meet three brothers and sisters who like each other from the New Testament and ask ourselves again: What can we observe in them that would be valuable for our brotherly togetherness in the church? I will first look at Lazarus, the youngest of the three.
Lazarus
We know very little about Lazarus. Apparently he was not at home during that tense event when Jesus visited his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Lazarus was not a prophet, not one of the 12 disciples, not a high priest, not a conspicuous person, not a troublemaker. He has not done or experienced anything special so far. He also has nothing to do with the poor Lazarus who appears in the story in Luke 16; on the contrary, our Lazarus belongs to a wealthy family. Lazarus lives in Bethany. One can hardly tell more about him. Perhaps no one would have known him if he had not been the brother of Martha and Mary. Actually a biblical nobody, but this changed abruptly with his resurrection from death.
This exciting story is worth reading at home in John chapter 11. What does it reveal about Lazarus? Jesus loves Lazarus. He is fond of him. That is mentioned twice! But Jesus loves all three brothers and sisters: «Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus». (John 11:5 NL). Martha and Mary also love Lazarus. When he becomes seriously ill, they immediately inform Jesus about it. It is interesting how they do this. They do not report: «Jesus, you must come immediately, Lazarus is seriously ill.» Their message is simple: «Jesus, the one you love, is sick in bed!»
I would like to insert a question: How do you formulate your message, your request to Jesus, when there is something very difficult and urgent? Dramatically? Or with a single sentence, like the two sisters; or even without words, knowing that Jesus already knows your situation? Jesus knows about our differences and that is good. He is happy when you turn to him and simply talk to him as you feel comfortable.
Jesus is in no hurry to visit the sick man. He stays where he is for two more days until he finally sets off for Bethany. In the meantime, Lazarus has already died and is buried in a cave tomb. There is a large stone in front of the entrance. We know how the story ends: Jesus raises him back to life. One may ask, why Lazarus in particular?
The answer is given by Jesus himself in the story: He does this miracle to glorify God! The many mourners present should experience God so that they believe in him and believe that Jesus is the Son of God. In fact, many Jews come to believe in Jesus, which does not please the high priests at all. A short time after this miracle, Martha invites Jesus and his disciples to a meal again, where Lazarus also sits at the table with them. Again many people come by, not only because they want to see Jesus, but also the resurrected Lazarus. On this occasion, Mary anoints Jesus» feet with a very expensive oil. That is all we know about Lazarus, after that we hear nothing more about him. He did not become a substitute disciple for Judas Iscarioth. He did not become an apostle, a missionary, an elder in a church, write a biblical book…
Jesus loves Lazarus. Jesus loves you too! Why are you, of all people, a committed Christian and a child of God? Just be amazed that you were able to open the door of your heart to him and be grateful! For us, it is often the case that we love people who we like straight away! And the most likeable people are the ones we feel like we like! This is not the case with Jesus. He does not wait for love in return until he shows us his love. «It is not we who have loved God, but he first loved us and sent his Son to set us free from our guilt.» (1 John 4:10 NL). Jesus first loved us to show and model this love for us. To love God the Father and our brothers and sisters in faith.
Marta and Maria
The two are familiar to us from their encounter with Jesus, where Mary listens spellbound to Jesus» words while Martha struggles to serve the guests. Martha expects Jesus to persuade her sister to help her. But Jesus questions her criticism and praises Mary, who has decided better. From this encounter in Bethany we can remember two things for our fraternal togetherness in the church:
- Before we rebuke the behaviour of others, we should always examine our own behaviour first! Wouldn’t it have been better for Martha to put down the potato peeler and listen too, especially now that Jesus will soon no longer be among them!
- You should criticise directly and not through a third party! «Jesus, can you please tell Maria what would happen now…?» No, directly: «Maria, will you help me later if I sit with you now?»
If you, as a wife, are annoyed by something about your husband, then don’t ask your girlfriend if she could have a serious word with your husband! The same applies vice versa to the husband! Please also spare the pastors, or the members of the church leadership from expecting you to put your partners or your children in their place – before you have addressed the problem yourself. The story of the raising of Lazarus reveals even more about Martha and Mary! The intention to call Jesus to the bedside is a joint decision of the two sisters. The elder Martha did not decide on her own. That is beautiful when brothers and sisters in faith are united: Now we need the closeness of Jesus! Now only Jesus can help us! Now we have to talk to HIM, go to HIM.
What do the two women do when they hear that Jesus is on his way to them? Lazarus died days ago! «When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house». (John 11:20 LU). This time, Martha seeks the closeness of Jesus. Martha and Mary meet Jesus one after the other with the same reproach and the same trust in his power to heal: «Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.»
Marta adds testimonially and impressively: «But even so, I know God will give you whatever you ask him for». (John 11:22). When Jesus gives the order to remove the stone from the entrance to the tomb, it is Martha who brakes: «No, we can’t do that. After four days the corpse stinks terribly!» Jesus replied: «Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?» (John 11:40 NL).
Our diversity
Two sisters who illustrate our differences very impressively. Our faith is sometimes so big and then again so small. Often we trust God with great things and are convinced by Bible words such as «God does great things that cannot be fathomed, and wonders that cannot be counted». (Job 9:10 LU). And suddenly we are back on the ground full of doubts and questions. Sometimes you feel so well what is now your turn – and soon after you throw your list of priorities over the top. We humans are so different, and so are we Christians. We have our days. We have our imprints. We have our preferences. We have our expectations. We have our inclinations… The more active ones sometimes want to kick the others» butts. Some are devastated, while others radiate hope again. Is a close brotherly togetherness in the church possible at all? Jesus» comment on this is: «All things are possible to him who believes!
We must all remain aware that the adversary not only attacks our communion with God, but also wants to destroy our togetherness. It is sad that many brothers and sisters in the flesh are at odds; they no longer talk to each other and do not want to see each other. This is sad. It is even more tragic when it happens among spiritual brothers and sisters. Dr. Susan McHale, an American researcher on sibling relationships in the USA, says: «The relationship between brothers and sisters is often the longest-lasting relationship we can have as human beings. And an important one at that,» says McHale. Because her data so far show that those people are healthier in their later years who still feel a close bond with their siblings. Interesting!
You are healthy in old age if you still have a good relationship with your physical brothers and sisters! When the Bible calls us to love our neighbour, it concerns first of all the next of kin, the brother or sister – not only the physical, but also the spiritual brothers and sisters. God calls us to this love, but he has given us everything to make this possible! In this way, he enables you to live a richly fulfilled life that radiates joy; and such a life has a positive effect on your physical health.
«We want to love because he first loved us. If anyone says, «I love God,» but hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love men whom he yet sees, how can he love God whom he has never seen? God himself has commanded us to love not only him, but also our neighbour». (1 John 4:19–21 NL).
Couples often promise each other a deep and faithful relationship at their wedding ceremony with the words: «Yes, with God’s help». Why not live the church relationships here among us with an ever-present: «Yes, with God’s help!»
Amen.
