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The Gift of Life
By Peace | July 8, 2008
Whenever Jesus went to Jerusalem, he would visit his friends, Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus, who lived in the village of Bethany, close to the city.
One day, Jesus received an urgent message, sent by the two sisters,”Lord, your friend Lazarus is ill.”
“This illness won’t end in death, but it will bring glory to God” Jesus reassured the disciples.
They were comforted by what he said, but concerned that he would want to go straight to Bethany to heal Lazarus. Last time they had been in Judea, Jesus’ life had been threatened. But, to their surprise, two whole days passed before Jesus said,”It’s time, now, to go to Judea.”
“You know what happened last time we were there,” the disciples reminded him. “They wanted to stone you.”
“All the same, if the Master has decided to go, we’ll go too,” Thomas insisted. “We’ll die with him, if need be!”
“No one can harm me while I still have work to do for my Father,” Jesus assured them. “He has given me a certain time for my work — that’s like the day. Daylight is safe. It’s at night that you trip over and hurt yourself. But the night will come,” he added.
As they walked the rough road, Jesus told them,”Our friend Lazarus is asleep.”
“Then he must be getting better,” the disciples said cheerfully.
“I mean that he is sleeping the sleep of death,” Jesus explained. “Lazarus is dead.”
The disciples fell silent. Once more they were puzzled by their Master.
The Lord of Life
Bad news travels fast. Before Jesus and his friends arrived, someone told them the news,”You’re too late! Lazarus has been dead and buried four whole days!”
When they were in sight of the house, they could see little groups of people arriving, to comfort the sisters and sympathize with them in their sadness. When Martha heard that Jesus was on his way, she hurried out of the house to meet him.
“If only you had been here,” she burst out, “Lazarus would be alive today!” Then she added, more thoughtfully, “But I know that even now God will hear your prayers.”
“Martha, dear,” Jesus said confidently,”your brother will rise to life. I am the resurrection and I am life. Everyone who puts faith in me will live forever, even though the body dies. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord!” Martha answered through her tears. “I believe that you are God’s Messiah!”
Martha went quickly back home to tell Mary to go to Jesus before he reached the crowded house. But when Mary got up to go, her visitors followed, thinking she was going to Lazarus’ grave, to mourn there.
When Jesus saw Mary’s tears and the tears of the friends who were with her, he cried too. He felt very sad to see them so unhappy. He was angry, too, as he saw the pain and sorrow death brings, spoiling God’s plans for life and family happiness.
“Where is Lazarus buried?” he asked.
“Come and see,” they said, leading the way to the rock tomb.
When they arrived, Jesus ordered, “Take away the stone that blocks the entrance.”
Everyone was shocked and Martha protested. “We can’t do that! He’s been dead four days. The body will smell.”
“Remember what I told you,” Jesus said. “If you trust me, you will see God act in great power.”
So, at a nod from the sisters, one or two strong men hauled the heavy rock from the cave mouth. No one else moved in the hot, still air. Jesus looked upwards and said,”Thank you, Father, for listening to me. I know that you always do.”
Then, in a loud voice, he gave the command,”Come out, Lazarus!”
Everyone held their breath. Curiosity and fear were on every face. All eyes were fastened on the shadowy, dark interior of the cave. Then, from within, a white, shrouded figure emerged uncertainly into the bright sunlight, body and head bound tightly by the linen bands of the burial shroud.
“Unloose the burial clothes! Set him free!” Jesus said. Loving, flustered hands hastened to unwind the cloths. Lazarus stretched, smiled, then strode out healthy and whole.
Topics: Jesus, Teachings, View All |
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