LAZARUS IS DEAD “So Jesus then said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead…John 11:14.” Those words continue to play in my head. I have never considered myself to have the gift of apologetics but in a dream last week it seemed I was so gifted by the Lord. I found myself surrounded by a group of men. Whether they were theologians assembled from the Religion Departments of our great universities or simply religious men held in high esteem by the world, I do not know. I do know there was a debate taking place over whether Lazarus was really dead when Jesus raised him from the dead. Some tried to persuade others in the group that Lazarus had been in some type of coma while several presented various plausible theories as to how circumstances gave the impression that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. I recall being astounded by the verbal swashbuckling and relieved when given the opportunity to speak my mind. In the passage I said, Jesus was referring to Lazarus’ physical death. He had told his disciples Lazarus had fallen asleep and he needed to go to Bethany to awaken him. But His disciples did not understand Jesus was speaking of physical death but rather thought Lazarus had only fallen asleep. So, they thought why would Jesus need to go and awaken him? It was not until Jesus plainly told them, Lazarus is dead that this truth started sinking in. So I raised this question among my hearers: Why was it so important to Jesus that His disciples understand Lazarus was dead? What meaning did Lazarus’ death have for them and us? Prayerfully, I hoped they would listen with ears to hear and eyes to see the significance of Jesus’ teaching. So I continued to speak. The Bible says in John 11:2, “It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.” What a foreshadowing of what is to come. Mary had anointed Jesus in preparation for His death and burial so that through His victory over death He might impart life to those who are dead in their trespasses and sins – in this case, her own brother would serve as the example of one who was dead and now made alive in Christ. Jesus alone is the One who quickens and makes alive. He alone is the One who can speak the Words, “Lazarus, come forth” and the dead become alive. I told these men, what hope this gives those who believe in Jesus as the resurrection and the life. What comfort it gives to know our love ones in Jesus are present with the Lord who awakens them out of sleep. Can you imagine how it must have been for Mary and Martha to be reunited with their brother; to have their sorrow turned to joy? What a foretaste of glory divine. John 12:2 says: “So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. So, I ask these men, “Will you be one of those reclining at the table with Him?” There is great power and witness when one realizes and lives as a Lazarus raised from the dead. Scriptures says, “The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He (Jesus) was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.” (John 12:9) “Do people see Jesus in you?” I asked. “Do they realize you have been raised from the death of your old life?” I know this: The journey never starts if you are debating whether you are dead or not. You must realize you are dead to your old life so plagued by the terminal sickness of sin if you are going to live your new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Then, I awakened. My dream was over. However, my dream served as a reminder to me. Verse 17 in John 11 says, “So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. That is what you and I who believe Jesus is the resurrection and life are called to do. We are to testify about Him regardless of the cost. Even in Lazarus’ day, the chief priests planned to put him to death (John 12:10) because he represented what Jesus can do in a life. As in my dream, there will be those theologians or simply religious men and woman who will debate the issue and water down God’s life-giving and transforming truth - a truth born from realizing that Jesus Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 10:43:44 +0000