07/29/2004: "Daily Reflection on Scripture"
Now that I've gotten my gidy pride out of the way...
The story of Lararus's death is just an amazing story from so many angles. Martha's role in it is remarkable as well. I've never lost a close relative or friend (God has been generous to me, even in my undeserving), but I can imagine that it will be a painful time when it does occur. How many people out there think they'd be able to be as humble and gentle as Martha was in her encounter with Christ? I don't think I could be.
Her brother had just died two days ago. I don't care how much you rationally knew that Christ knew what he was doing, it would be hard to humbly submit to that. Martha does. It would be very easy to be angry. She isn't angry in the least. She still had the strength to affirm that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of God". It leaves me in awe of her.
May the Peace of Christ which is offered to us all, help us to have the humility that Martha had and be able to affirm God's greatness even in our most difficult hours.
