“My brother, your beloved friend is ill.”
This was the word that I sent you.
You waited four days after he was already gone to be here with us.
I jolted up at the sound of your beautiful name.
“Jesus, you are too late,” I cried.
“If you could have just been here.”
I didn’t understand then what you had in store next.
You put your arm around me and as we walked to where his body was you cried with me.
When we arrived at the tomb you asked sister to move the stone.
You then cried out to the Father and were thankful.
“Lazarus, come out,” you said.
I remember in that moment, the only word running through my mind.
Immanuel, Immanuel, Immanuel.
God you are always with us.
When I heard that you were back in Bethany, I have never been more excited to see you.
Lazarus told me where you were having dinner so without hesitation I went.
As soon as I entered the room, the men eating with you gave me stares of hate and disgust, but when I saw your face you smiled at me.
In that moment I wanted nothing more than to be at your feet.
When I made my way over to where you were I remembered the perfume I had with me.
As I sat there and cried, remembering what you did for my brother, I began to clean your feet with my hair.
I used up all of the perfume to anoint you and I didn’t think twice about it.
Other voices in the room said that I was a wasteful sinner, but you stuck up for me.
You protected me.
You came again to see my sister and I.
She was all caught up in cleaning and making a nice meal for you, but all you wanted was to spend time with us.
You still want to spend time with us.
You still are my protecter.
You still have power over death.
Jesus I love you. I will never stop loving you.
Your dearest, Mary
