Transcending Realism to a Decision of Faith
Contents
Today's text is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This text is in story format. Stories challenge our attitudes towards life. It not only challenges but also transforms our fateful, realist and individualistic lives. As is the case with today's Bible text.
First, let's take a few concepts and draw a picture of our lives today.
First, the concept of labor. A political philosopher named Hannah Arendt called labor one of the most basic human activities. Labor is a human activity for survival. Without work, we cannot survive. Because it's for bread. After all, labor is deeply related to life and survival, and it is for bread. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." But Jesus also said that we do not live on bread alone, and did not want our lives to be filled with work alone. In other words, in human activities, we must not only work for bread for me and my family, but also devote time to volunteer. However, you can see that many people today are tied to work. Moreover, they fear that they will lose even the opportunity to work. Adaptation to reality for survival. Many people are doomed to adapt and live in a competitive system, and they are unable to get out of it.
Second, it is an activity that is somewhat liberated from work, the concept of building achievements. First, let's talk about the difference between work and achievement. Achievements are first and foremost activities that leave a lasting impression. An achievement is sometimes interpreted as a work, but it is always a possessive activity. It's someone's work, and someone's work. Professors are required to report their achievements, as almost all universities these days have what is called a comprehensive evaluation. The activity of this achievement is different from the activity of work. Publishing a book or publishing a work is an achievement activity. The best works of art remain in the memory of mankind for a long time. Achievements are what people achieve with all their abilities. It is also the best alter ego of itself. Achievements are the face of one's best. But we must consider whether achievements are the most valuable of our activities.
There is something called achievementism. This is an activity that I think about myself and I think it is a wrong activity. Because I value other people and everything else as useful to my work. There is a very individualistic and egocentric aspect to it. It can lead to pride if done wrong. We remember that Martin Luther, in raising the banner of the Reformation, said that no beautiful work of man could be justified by it. Luther points out that even the best deeds of man are nothing but achievements, and that there is self-assured pride.
Before we get into the main text, let's take a look at the story of Luke in which Martha and Mary appear. Her older sister Martha is busy preparing to entertain her guests, but Mary does not help her at all, but sits at Jesus' feet and listens to him. Dissatisfied with Mary's behavior, Martha expected Jesus to rebuke her for her behavior. Martha's thought is that if Mary respects Jesus and follows his words, then it is not right for her to serve with me for Him now. Martha is very realistic and has a view of doing what she can to best fit the situation. He is a man who does his best and does his best. But Maria didn't care how busy her sister was, and she devoted herself to her work as if she had something more important to do. But Jesus appreciated Mary's actions more than Martha's realistic views: "Martha, Martha, you care and worry about many things, but you only need one thing. Mary has chosen a very good portion. Can not be done."
However, if we look at today's text, we can see another difference between Martha and Mary. Jesus came to see Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. A few words were exchanged between Martha and Jesus, who came out first and greeted him. Martha said that if Jesus had come sooner, his brother would not have died, but believed that he would rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Martha's realistic statement that even if Jesus has come four days after he died, Lazarus will never come back to life. But Jesus says, "Your brother will rise again."
However, what is characteristic of today's text is that Jesus did not go further from the place where he was talking with Martha and waited for Mary to come. It appears that Mary can only begin to save lives when she arrives. It is that Martha's realistic thoughts alone cannot enter life. Even if it seems unreasonable and unrealistic, it is impossible to go to life without the determination of faith and self-determination. Mary is showing the image of such a determination of faith. First, when they heard that Jesus was calling, they said, 'I jumped up and ran to Jesus.' Then he fell down at his feet. Maria is demonstrating total faith. It is not rational and realistic thinking, but it is showing the belief like a child. We still remember how Mary surprised those around her by acting without rational calculations. It is an act of faith that Mary sprinkled expensive perfume on Jesus' feet before the Passover and wiped his feet with her long hair.
When we look back on our lives, there are many times when we have defeat and failure, frustration and a desire to die. However, we must realize that such experiences can be the driving force that not only saves my life, but also makes it richer. The story of Jesus who raised Lazarus today should be a story that re-examines our past experiences and inspires new hope in our lives today. Our dark experiences and times should be turned into bright times by this story. It is that our dark times can become golden times, heydays, and times of hope through this story of life. This story should be our story. I am sure that if this story becomes my story, our story, which breathes life into us who are living a passive life as given without hope and no vitality, our lives, which have been passively drawn to our past fate, will be transformed. .