Where have you laid him? (John 11:34)

Beyond the literal nature of the question, it has a much deeper meaning. As we read further, the deeper meaning slowly gets revealed. The response to Jesus’s question is ‘Lord come and see’, and ‘Jesus began to weep’.

In this instance, we see that instead of submitting the departed to Lord, people try to bring Jesus to the departed. This is not what is expected. The response to Jesus’ question should have been, Lord, kindly receive our beloved departed.

Jesus said earlier to Martha that those who believe in him, even though they die will live (vs.25). This statement is an eternal assurance to all who follow Jesus and depart from this world. For the living, the same statement is a guideline to how one should the departed.

There is a fundamental difference between the death of God’s children and others. In fact, those who reject God are put to death whereas His children are just given another name (Isaiah 65:15b). As we read in 1 Corinthians 15:51, ‘We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed’. These verses guide us to treat our departed as living, and are just transformed from earthly realm to a divine space. Moreover, God is not a God of the dead, but of the living (Mark 12:27). Jesus said, Because I live, you shall also live’ (John 14:19). This was prophesied by Job years ago when he stated ‘I know my redeemer lives’ (Job 19:25). Unfortunately, we often fail to understand these, and are often led by the ways of the gentiles.

Lazarus was very close to Lord Jesus as evident from verse 3. Therefore, there is no need to panic or worry about Lazarus’ state of life. However, there are three contradictory situations witnessed around this incident:

1. Even before Jesus was informed about the death of Lazarus, Jesus knew that, and disclosed it to the disciples, ‘Our friend Lazarus is asleep; but I am going there to wake him up (vs.11). However, the response from the disciples reflect spiritual immaturity and ignorance, ‘Lord if he sleeps he will get better’ (vs. 12). Unfortunately, even the disciples could not differentiate between natural sleep and sleeping in Christ. Hence, Jesus had to clarify in plain language that Lazarus is dead.

This brief conversation and concluding statement that Lazarus is dead is a message for the church that it should not ignore the departed as they are precious to Jesus. If the Church had to forget the dead, Jesus would have told the disciples not to worry anymore about Lazarus as he is dead. Instead, Jesus decides to travel to Bethany with His disciples, even though it was a risky affair (see vs. 15-16). The Psalmist says, ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalms 116:115).

2. We see another misunderstanding about the dead in the conversation between Martha and Jesus. Even after Jesus clearly telling Martha that her brother will rise again, her response is ‘post-dated’, ignoring the fact that Jesus was the resurrection and life (vs. 25). Whilst Martha responds to Jesus’ statement by acknowledging, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day’ (vs. 24), Jesus corrects her with a statement that reflects it (resurrection) is not a future event but it is NOW. Our beloved departed are not alive in this world, but are well alive and living in Christ. St. Paul explicitly states, ‘Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). The death of God’s children is termed First death’ in Bible (Revelations 20:6), and they will not be subjected to ‘Second death’ as it is meant for the unfaithful (also see Revelations 2:11). The Second death is destined to happen at the second coming of Jesus when the dead and alive will be judged according to their deeds (Revelations 20:12; also see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Often in our state of uncontrolled and mismanaged emotions, we go crazy and indulge in weird practices, as a demonstration of our love for our beloved departed. As a result, our focus is directed towards worldly glories, decorating the tomb, and making the burial service a show off. And, in the course of these, we forget handing over our beloved departed into the hands of Jesus, but just bury them off according to our ways, and grieve and weep without any hope . This is what Jesus witnessed at Bethany when he saw Martha, Mary and all others weeping, at which Jesus was moved in spirit and troubled (vs.33). Instead, as mentioned above, the family members are expected to be spiritually responsible in handing over the beloved departed into Lord’s hands.

3. The worst of spiritual ignorance is evident from the criticism of some of the people assembled there, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of blind man have kept this man from dying’ (vs. 37).

It is often the case, that people lack farsightedness, and are often shackled with short term gains. The people gathered in Bethany could not distinguish between life in this world and life in Christ. Such nearsightedness only expect Jesus to help and support them with their worldly needs rather than eternal ones. St. Paul instructs the Colossians to set their minds on things above, and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). The minds and hearts of people are often connected to Jesus through worldly things. Instead we ought to have a direct connection. If we try to connect with Lord through our personal gains only, it is selfishness. On the contrary, if we ignore our selfish desires and motives and seek Lord with a pure heart, it is true faith, and we will be able to see the glory of God (vs. 40).

In the whole episode at Bethany, the disciples represent the Church, Martha and Mary represent the family of the departed, and the people gathered represent the congregation. And we see here, Jesus clearly instructing all the three regarding the faithful departed. There is no better evidence in the Bible to demonstrate the state of departed and their status when they are removed from this world. It is only a transformation and not destruction because Jesus has come to give life in abundance; and, in fact it is Satan who comes to destroy (John 10:10).

More importantly, the responsibility of the Church, family of departed and the wider congregation is to submit the faithful departed into the hands of Jesus Christ.

Let us submit our faithful departed into Lord’s hands. Amen.