Faith's Complaint

Scripture Reading: John 11:28-37

Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

              Mary’s words to Jesus seem harsh. She levels her complaint against God. She’s wrong about many things. While it is true that Jesus, in His human nature, was limited by time and space; in His divine nature He was there. That is evident in that He knew exactly what was happening back in Bethany. He knew the state of Lazarus' health. He knew when he died. But Mary, blinded by grief and not fully comprehending the nature of Jesus, complained because He wasn’t there for her.

              Mary was wrong about Jesus’ intentions. She feels as though he has failed her. She didn’t know He intended to raise Lazarus from the dead. How could she? She was wrong about the purposes of God in her brother’s death. Jesus had told the disciples it was for God’s glory (11:4). But all Mary saw was a tomb, an empty chair at the table, sandals without feet in them, a silence where a voice was once heard – a void – a dark emptiness that Jesus could have prevented if only he had been there.

              And there was the inexplicable delay. They had sent for Jesus and he had ample time to come and do his magic. He had gotten the news about Lazarus and yet stayed where he was, waiting to come until after it was too late. Mary doesn’t specifically say so, but she implies her disappointment in Jesus’ delay.

              Mary complains.

              While that is all worth examination and criticism, don’t overlook her faith. She has faith. Do you see it? She believes Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus. She believes Jesus could have healed her brother. That is faith. It is not as if she lost confidence in Jesus and saw him as a fraud who couldn’t have helped the situation. She did have faith. Weak. Ignorant. Ill-informed. Complaining faith.

              It is for this reason, I believe, that she receives no harsh rebuke from the Lord. Instead, He weeps with her. And then he does exceedingly far beyond what Mary could have asked or thought. He raises Lazarus from the grave.

              This world is filled with grief, sorrow, suffering, and death. And one day we are likely to find them knocking on our door. Then, we will understand Mary’s words more fully. We may very well feel, or think, or even say, “Lord, if you had been here…” It is a complaint. But let it be faith’s complaint.