Good Grief | March 22, 2026

·20 min·2 clips

Why does Jesus respond with firm words to one grieving sister but only weep with the other when they say the exact same thing?

The episode is a sermon from the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew during Lent, examining biblical stories from the Gospel of John. It begins by reviewing previous weeks' passages about Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and a blind man. The main focus is John chapter 11, where Jesus interacts with Mary and Martha after Lazarus's death. The speaker notes that both sisters say 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,' but Jesus responds differently: to Martha, he declares 'I am the resurrection and the life,' calming her; to Mary, he weeps silently. This difference is attributed to their distinct personalities and needs. The speaker explains this through the theological concept of Christ's two natures—divine and human—showing how Jesus meets people in varied ways. A personal anecdote describes visiting Lazarus's tomb in Bethany, involving descending 25 steps and crouching inside. The sermon emphasizes that all healings, including Lazarus's resurrection, are temporary but demonstrate Jesus's power. It connects Lazarus's story to Palm Sunday, as the raising of Lazarus draws crowds to Jerusalem. The speaker references a Sarah Bareilles song about grief and healing, quoting a line about brokenness being known by love. Later, he discusses the outcomes of other Gospel characters: Nicodemus later cares for Jesus's body, the Samaritan woman is traditionally named Fotina, and Lazarus reportedly led a Christian community in Cyprus for 30 years. The message encourages listeners to share their grief with God, whether they identify more with Mary's contemplative style or Martha's active one, and to discern when to offer words of resurrection or silent companionship. It concludes by affirming Jesus as both brother and resurrection, leading into Holy Week themes.

As heard by us

A tender meditation on grief, faith, and the Christ who answers with both truth and tears.

The episode traces John 11 through the different ways Mary and Martha meet Jesus after Lazarus dies, letting their repeated words and different responses shape a meditation on grief and faith.

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Why you'd press play

You want Christian grief that answers Martha and sits beside Mary without flattening either response.

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