Together in Faith: A Journey With the Saints

Imagine attending a marathon, where every mile is lined with friends, family, and even those who have completed the race before you. Their cheers echo in your ears, encouraging you to push through fatigue. In Hebrews 12:1, we are called to run with endurance, reminded of those who have gone before us—the cloud of witnesses. Their lives, marked by struggles and triumphs, serve as an emotional fuel, urging us to pursue holiness and finish our race strong.

In many ways that is what All Saints Day is all about, it challenges us to embody perseverance and to avoid distractions that disrupt our spiritual journey. in recognizing Jesus, who unites and strengthens us, we affirmed that our race (our lives) is communal and interconnected.

Consider the story of a young athlete who trains day after day, motivated by the vision of their idol—a champion who exemplifies dedication and excellence. Just as they looks to his/her hero for inspiration, we have a great cloud of witnesses—prophets, saints, and everyday believers—whose lives reflect the pursuit of holiness. Their testimonies remind us that we are not alone in our struggles; they cheer us on towards our own spiritual victories.

When Jesus learns of Lazarus’s serious illness, he makes the surprising decision to remain where he is instead of rushing to his friend’s bedside. As the story proceeds, the reason for the delay becomes clear: Jesus is waiting for Lazarus to die so that he can raise him up and thereby glorify God.

By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. Mary and Martha are mourning in the company of “many of the Jews” (11:19). Each sister reproaches Jesus for not coming sooner. Jesus promises Martha that Lazarus will rise again, and declares famously, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (11:25–26). Martha responds with a full confession of faith: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (11:27).

Upon seeing Mary, Jesus “was greatly disturbed in spirit, and deeply moved” (11:33). When he sees the tomb, he weeps (11:35). In the first century, Jews were buried in linen shrouds and their bodies laid in a sealed tomb so that the flesh would decompose. After a period of eleven months, the tomb would be unsealed, and the bones would be placed in an ossuary (bone box) and stored on a shelf in the tomb (Hachlili). In the days after burial, however, removing the stone would release the stench of decomposition. Jesus gives thanks to God and clarifies that his prayer is “for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me” (11:41). In doing so, he attributes the miracle not to his own innate power but to God. He then calls out—like the shepherd would to the sheep in John 10—“Lazarus, come out!” thereby fulfilling the prophecy in 5:28–29, that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and come out of their tombs (11:43).

Picture this: You’ve just gotten a call that your friend came back after being ‘gone’ for days. You laugh, 'This better not be a prank!' When Lazarus returned, it wasn't a joke—there was genuine awe. This miraculous event foreshadowed Christ’s own victory over death, reminding all of us that sometimes, the greatest surprises have the simplest messages: hope and life can emerge even from the tombs of despair!

When faced with seeming despair, we can trust in Jesus’ plan. His response calls us to believe in the bigger picture that God is orchestrating, reminding us that our present crisis are not beyond God’s power or purpose. it sets the stage for hop even when death seems inevitable.