As we approach Holy Week, we know where we are going—we are following our Lord to Calvary. He is going to be crucified. To those in the world, this is a message of defeat and despair. Death is the end, says the man without faith. But we who believe proclaim with Martha: “Yes, Lord. I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

In the midst of this, the Church gives us a message of hope. This is the story of Lazarus. Jesus was a dear friend of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. He often visited their home—He spoke with them, shared meals with them, and likely stayed there to rest from the crowds, in the company of those He loved.

Lazarus became ill, and his sisters sent word to Jesus—but He delayed His coming. This was not by chance. Jesus has purpose in everything He does, everything He says, and even in how He does it. St. John’s Gospel is called the “Gospel of Signs,” because everything points to who Jesus is. As Jesus and the Apostles set out, He first tells them that Lazarus is asleep, and then plainly that he is dead. This story serves a deeper purpose.

We must pay attention to the details—everything Jesus does and says is deliberate. He weeps. Here we see His human nature fully revealed. Jesus truly mourns the death of His friend. He is fully human—He feels sorrow, He grows weary, He suffers. This is not a mere appearance, but a reality. And yet, He does not pray for Lazarus—He commands: “Lazarus, come out!” Now His divine nature is fully revealed.

This Gospel teaches us two great truths. First, Jesus is God—only God has power over life and death: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Second, suffering leads to glory—though Jesus will suffer and die, He will rise from the tomb by His own power.

Jesus gives us hope in the midst of our sufferings: “This illness is not to end in death.” Christ has risen from the dead, and we will follow Him. At the end of time, even our bodies will rise again, reunited with our souls for all eternity. We must place our hope in the One who has conquered death—because in Him, we too will overcome death.