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Kamehameha Schools Maui Class of 2023 Dean of Students Malorie Chong and KSM senior Arianna Rios share the mo‘olelo of the death of Jesus’ friend Lazarus to remind us that we have a friend in Ke Akua, and that we should trust what He has in store for us.

Lent week 5: The kind of friend we all need

March 19, 2021

Contributed by 'Alohi Bikle

KS created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for Lent to honor the deep Christian faith of KS founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The devotionals were designed to be used by students, staffers and others to celebrate the coming of Easter, so please feel free to share them.

Heluhelu Baibala
Bible reading

Ua maʻi kekahi, ʻo Lazaro, no Betania, no ke kauhale o Maria a me kona kaikuaʻana ʻo Mareta. ʻO kā Maria kēia i kāhinu ai i ka Haku i ka mea poni, a holoi hoʻi i kona wāwae me kona lauoho, nona ke kaikunāne maʻi, ʻo Lazaro. Hoʻouna aʻela nā kaikuwāhine i ona lā, ʻī aʻela, E ka Haku, aia hoʻi ʻo ka mea āu i aloha ai, ua maʻi. A lohe aʻela ʻo Iesū, ʻī aʻela, ʻAʻole kēia ka maʻi e make ai, akā, no ka nani o ke Akua, i hoʻonani ʻia ai hoʻi ke Keiki a ke Akua ma ia mea. – Ioane 11:1-4

Now a certain man was sick: Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.  And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” – John 11:1-4

He manaʻo o ka limahana
KSM Class of 2023 Dean of Students Malorie Chong

Think of your best friend. What do you laugh about, cry about, walaʻau about? Isnʻt it great to have a hoaloha who is so comforting and special? But what if I said this friend left you, abandoned you, no longer speaks to you? What a crush to your spirit! Trusting people becomes difficult at this point, right? Why give my heart away when it will be crushed and ignored?

Many people felt that way about Jesus when Lazarus was dying and they knew Jesus could save him. “Come,” they said, “Your friend is dying.” Yet He didnʻt go! “You save strangers but you wonʻt even help your friend!?” they yelled. The spin to this story is that Jesus loved Lazarus more than anyone could imagine. He allowed Lazarus to die, only because He knew God had a plan. He knew something even greater would come out of this “death.”

Have you ever felt like that? Where God was not there for you, that He had abandoned you? Walking with God can be difficult and that is why we call it FAITH. We cannot always understand the “whys” in our life. We can’t always see the whole picture. But, if we remain close to God and take the time to stop and listen to Him, we will know, with our naʻau, what He has in store for us.

Jesus was so close to his Father, He didnʻt freak out when He heard Lazarus was sick. Because He had a daily connection to God, He realized there was a plan and He let the situation unfold as it needed to. Instead of us trying to become God and take over our pain, perhaps we too can remain close to Him and allow Him to demonstrate his wisdom, power, and timing.

He manaʻo o ka haumana
Arianna Rios, KSM ‘21

I have been in situations where I have lost my friends. All through high school I was jumping between friend groups. I started losing my trust and faith in others. I would keep my guard up. Making friends became very difficult and for a while I thought I was all alone. I knew I needed to turn to God and trust in God. I knew He had a plan for me.

One of Jesus’ friends was dying, and He knew that. Lazarus’ family warned Jesus and told Him he was dying. Jesus ignored them and the family thought Jesus was just going to let his closest friend die. Once Lazarus passed Jesus appeared, because He knew God’s plan.

God has a plan for us, making us leave friendships that aren’t meant to be. He knows what is best for us we just need to have faith in Him.


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