Biblical insights into loss and grief

Russ Waldrop / News Virginian
Published: March 31, 2007

He faces the death of his friend, Lazarus. But the funeral is over and his body is already buried. Moreover, the family, friends and clergy are angry at Jesus for arriving so late. It is an emotionally charged situation. How can Jesus regain the trust of those who need his care-

He begins by bearing the brunt of everyone's disappointment. No soothing their wounded hearts until they lay their emotional cards on the table. "It's your fault, Jesus. He wouldn't have died if you had been here." "Why couldn't Jesus have kept him from dying in the first place-" (John 11:21 and 32). Sound familiar- It should. We have all voiced similar disappoint toward God in one way or another, silently or verbally, directly or indirectly, even consciously or unconsciously. And here is how Jesus offers himself to persons in angry grief, including us.

After the usual complaints and religious clich-s are spoken, Jesus steps right into the thick of it and announces, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." But, is that enough- Words alone rarely are. Yet, "Jesus saw her weeping, and he saw how the people with her were also weeping. His heart was touched; and he was deeply moved" (John 11:33-35). Jesus asks only one question now: "Where have you buried him-" and breaks into tears alongside them. It is only then that they invite him to the cemetery. But, what better place is there for resurrection to happen than a cemetery-

Upon arriving at the grave, Jesus is deeply moved again. Had he delayed his arrival for this moment- He had told his disciples several days ago, "The final result of Lazarus' illness will not be his death. The glory of God will." Just what is Jesus going to do now, hold a lengthy graveside vigil- Hardly.

"Move that stone!" Jesus orders, mobilizing the grief-stricken mourners. But voices of doubt reply quickly: "He's been dead four days, Lord, and the odor will be awful." He reminds them that God's glory is as close as their faith. So, the crowd works together, heaving, sighing and sweating, until the stone finally budges; then, with their combined effort, it moves away from the opening. Now it is Jesus' turn. Isn't this always the deal Jesus offers: "You move the barriers to faith and I'll handle the miracles"- With their part done, he announces in a loud and confident voice: "Lazarus, you come out of there!"

And there's no other way to say it: Lazarus comes out of there.

But now what- Is Jesus going to do clean up work now- Will he disentangle Lazarus' grave clothes, tidy up the tomb and put the stone back- No. He says, "Unwrap him and let him go." That's all. He's done his part. So much is left to the bereaved now. Why-

Resurrection is a community event. Everyone has responsibility, including the one being raised. Furthermore, everyone was to "let go" of Lazarus soon so that he could begin to live again, without becoming the spiritual darling of this particular crowd. But who did the cleanup work- Someone had to. An open grave in a cemetery is unsightly, perhaps unsanitary. Who did it- The likely candidate-

Lazarus. After all, it was his grave. And, someday, he would need it again.

The Rev. Russell G. Waldrop, D. Min., LPC, is a pastoral counselor and is chaplain of Western State Hospital. Comments are welcome at 540-332-8004 or and information about his collected columns is available.

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