For the Bible Tells Me So
The Gospel of John's account states clearly that someone ran up to Jesus in a panic to alert him that "Master, the ONE YOU LOVE IS DEAD" He was talking about Lazarus. The "one you love." You are kidding? Lazarus? The dead guy? Why does he love him? He isn't an Apostle? He isn't one of the 70 sent to pave the way, why Lazarus? It's really the first we hear of this guy who is so beloved of Jesus.
So who is he? The brother of Mary [Magdalene] and Martha. Lazarus- everyone says, maybe he's just sleeping- No. He's dead. But Jesus doesn't let that lie. He is going to raise him from the dead, just like he is going to raise himself from the dead. Just to show everyone he means business and he can.
Why would Jesus love Lazarus so much that he gets this special attention- he didn't say "Why are you looking for the living among the dead" or "let sleeping dogs lie" or "what's it to me!" He
sends Martha for Mary- Lazarus's sister. Mary [Magdalene], who is sitting Shiva with a number of people in her home learns from Martha that Jesus is sending for her (he is outside the town likely closer to the tomb of Lazarus when he calls for her.) Mary runs out to meet him and is crying. He's dead-if only you were here earlier you could have saved him-now he's been dead for four days and likely reeks. Then we get the famous verse that everyone quotes and can't figure out why but.....
"JESUS WEPT." Like there were not thousands of dead guys.
Jesus is moved by Mary's tears to tears himself. Lazarus is the one he loved. Lazarus is the brother of Mary [Magdalene].
Lazarus is Jesus' brother in law. This is likely not something he would want spread around- for the protection of Mary and her family.
It is written that because of what Mary told the people sitting Shiva back at the house regarding the raising of Lazarus that many then came to believe in Jesus--and many also started then conspiring to get rid of him because of the threat they believed he posed. Because of what Mary told them, her witness, many believed.
After Jesus died, we see Mary again at the Tomb (thanks to John's account.) Mary sees the angel who rolled the stone and says "Where have you taken MY lord." She doesn't say "THE Lord" or "that Rabbi" or "OUR Lord"-she appropriates him personally. Then she says "tell me where you have taken him so that I can retrieve his body." Who does this girl think she is? Who does she think she is that SHE has a right to take his body when she knew exactly where to find Peter and John? Why on earth would she tell the angel that She would take his body. What random woman floating around would think Jesus would want her to take his body?
For the same reason she came with the anointing oils to the Tomb. She was his wife. The Wife goes first and has first say over what happens to her husband's body. The others knew to keep a respectful distance. She has to go get Peter.
Again- why does this matter?
Because Jesus didn't relegate women to mere housekeeper, or bankroller. Mary and Jesus were emotionally bound. The Apostles knew of their close relationship whether they liked it or not. Mary was given by Jesus special place in his heart, and in his ministry.
The unholy Sophie's choice that exists now where the most "religious" women are those who must definitionally shun close emotional relationships with men and forsake all child-bearing is antithetical to and a false dichotomy never established by Jesus. It is in fact emotionally harmful to some religious women. It misunderstands something at the core of who Jesus is. And that is never good.
http://www.secretsofmarymagdalene.com/SOMM_from_elainepagels.htm
Jesus: Fully Human, Fully Divine.
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