Sometimes you ask the question because you’re curious.  Why is the sky blue?

Sometimes you ask the question because you’re angry.  Why won’t you let me help you?

Sometimes you ask the question because you’re confused. Why did God let this happen?

That last question is similar to the one a little boy asked one day.  The little boy lived in Arkansas and was supposed to be home every afternoon by 5 o’clock for supper.  Even though he was only six years old the little boy was always very careful to be home on time so his parents wouldn’t worry.  One day in early April though he came home late.  That’s because it was the day after Daylight Saving Time went into effect.  So, when the little boy walked into the kitchen a few minutes before 6 o’clock he found his mother waiting for him with a scowl on her face.  “You know you’re supposed to be home by five,” she said sternly.  That puzzled the little boy and he pointed to the window. “But it’s still light out and it’s the light that tells me when to come home.”  When the mother realized what was going on she smiled and explained Daylight Savings Time to him.  “That means everyone sets their clocks ahead an hour,” she said.  “So, the daylight is going to last longer now.” At that point a deep frown appeared on the little boy’s face.  “Oh really?” he said suspiciously. “Does God know about this?”

There isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t wonder about something. Take a close look at what happened when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and you’ll see that the story is full of questions.  For example:

Why did Jesus wait to go to Bethany after he got the message that Lazarus was seriously ill?

Why did Mary stay behind when Jesus finally showed up?

Here’s another one for you. Why did Jesus weep if he knew that was going to raise Lazarus from the dead in just a few minutes anyway?

Why?  Why?  Why?  Life is full of whys.  In fact, you may be sitting there right now with a couple of questions that need to be answered.

Sometimes there’s a logical answer to the question.  For example, we know why Jesus waited four days before he went to Bethany.  It has to do with a superstition that people had back then.  The superstition was simple.  Back then people believed that after you died your spirit hovered around the tomb for three days to make sure you were really dead.  Only then did it leave. If Jesus had performed the miracle before then some people would have argued that Lazarus wasn’t really dead yet.

So, you see.  Sometimes there is a logical answer to the question why.  Sometimes though there isn’t.  No matter how hard you try, you just can’t figure it out.  It doesn’t make any sense no how, no way. 

That’s the situation Martha found herself in.  When Jesus finally showed up she complained a little and crabbed a little and cried a little.  Why Lord?  If you had been here my brother would not have died?  Why Lord?  Why?  Instead of buying into her little guilt trip though Jesus simply made a bold declaration and then asked her a question.  “I am the resurrection and the life,” he said, “he who believes in me though he were dead yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

In response to that declaration and that question Mary humbly replied, “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

That’s the choice you have when you come face to face with a question that can’t be answered.  You can rant and rave forever about the injustice of it all and keep asking why.  Or, you can do what Martha finally did.  You let go of your anger and simply say, “Yes Lord.  I believe.  I believe that you care.  I believe that you are always working for good and healing and joy and peace in my life.”

Of course, if you’re a diehard skeptic you could throw another of those why question out there.  Why Lord?  Why should I believe? 

Well, I have an answer for that question. Why should you believe he really cares?   Because he wept that’s why.  John says that when he arrived at the tomb, Jesus wept.  That’s the shortest verse in the Bible by the way and it really is the key to this story.  Jesus fell to his knees and wept when he arrived at the tomb of his good friend Lazarus.  That’s because Jesus was very close to Lazarus and his sisters.  We know that he stayed at their home from time to time and it was while he was at their home that Mary anointed him by pouring a jar of expensive perfume on him.  It was an act of love that took place just a few days before he went to the Cross.

So, Lazarus and his sisters were special to Jesus.  That’s why Jesus fell to his knees and wept when he arrived at the tomb.  His tears were so deep and so dear that those around him said to one another, “See how he loved him.”

What this means is that the God who was in Christ really does love you.  The God who was in Christ really does care when you suffer.  That poignant moment by the tomb shows you a God who really does feel your pain.

Now, I don’t know about you but I like the idea of a God who isn’t just sitting on that high and holy throne in heaven.  I also like the idea of a God who weeps with you when you’re suffering and in pain. After all, some problems can’t be solved and some situations really are hopeless.

That was true for a man who met Jesus one day.  It seems that Jesus was walking down the road one day when he came upon a man who was weeping.  “Good friend,” Jesus said, “what’s wrong?”  “I’m blind, and can’t see” the man replied. Jesus was moved with compassion and immediately healed the man.  That man’s situation wasn’t hopeless of course. A little while later Jesus came to another man who was weeping.  “Good friend,” Jesus said, “what’s wrong?”  “I’m crippled and can’t walk,” the man replied.  Once again Jesus was moved with compassion and immediately healed the man.  Obviously, that man’s situation wasn’t hopeless either.  Finally, as the day was drawing to a close Jesus came upon a third man who was also weeping.  “Good friend,” Jesus said, “What’s wrong?”  “Oh,” the man replied, “I’m a minister.”  And Jesus, moved with compassion, sat down with the man and wept.

Now I can assure you that I never feel that way myself.  Sometimes in my regular day to day life though I do, and when I do it’s comforting to know that there was a day when Jesus wept.  There was a day when he wept because he cared.  There was a day when he wept because his good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus were suffering and in pain.

Don’t forget though that he also raised Lazarus from the dead and changed those tears of sadness into tears of gladness.  What that means is that his love is great and in the end it will triumph over everything that fills your eyes and your heart with tears.  It will triumph over death and every kind of disease and every form of destructive hate.

Ten years or so ago, a little four-year-old boy by the name of Conor Clapton died when he fell to his death in New York City.  After the tragedy his father, guitarist Eric Clapton said, “I turned to stone.  Then I went off the edge of the world for a while.”  Eventually, he put his emotions into a song that in its own way affirms the love of Christ.

This is what he wrote:

Time can bring you down…time can bend your knees.

Time can break your heart…have you begging please.

Beyond the door…there's peace I'm sure,

And I know there'll be…no more tears in heaven.

He’s right you know. Because of the day when Jesus wept, the day will come when there will be no more tears in heaven.   Amen.

Rev. Dr. Richard A. Hughes

March 13, 2005