Lazarus

by Joey Davis

Death is the way of all flesh. There is a season to spring forth and flourish, and a season to fade and fall to the ground.

But if the seasons teach us anything, in eloquent fashion, they teach us that death does not have the last word. True, flowers die and fall to the ground. But so do their seeds. And even though they may sleep for a winter under a blanket of snow, they will arise at the first beckon of spring. In John 11, fall had come for Jesus' friend Lazarus. "Lord, the one you love is sick"

It's strange that Jesus didn't rush to his bedside. He is unquestionably aware that a masterful miracle is in His Father's plans. His patience was needed to set the stage. However, Martha and Mary couldn't see behind this stage's curtains. . . so they grieved. . . and struggled. . . and wondered.

Four days passed before Jesus arrived in Bethany: For Mary and Martha, It was four horrible days filled with heartache. They feel that they will never get over this tragedy, and truth is, nobody gets over a loss of this kind. . . they only get through it.

Jesus approaches the outskirts of the city, a disillusioned Martha rushes to meet Him. "Lord, if you had been here. my brother would not have died." Jesus assures her that He is in control, " am the resurrection a1d the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies." These words steady her feet on the cliff of her doubts.

Then Mary approaches with puffy cheeks and bloodshot eyes, failing at His feet she cried, "Lord. if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Both sisters approached Jesus with identical words. Martha shouted them to His face. Mary cried them at His feet. Maybe their proximity accounts for why one was answered by theological truth and the other evoked God's tears.

The sight of the tomb troubled Jesus. Maybe it was because a tomb in the middle of a garden was too graphic a reminder of Eden gone to seed. Of paradise lost. Of a dark tomb that He would enter in order to regain it.

"Lazarus, come forth!!!" What an incredible moment. It revealed who Jesus is . . . the resurrection and the life. But it revealed something even more remarkable. . . the tears of Jehovah.

How remarkable to learn that our plight can trouble His spirit and that our pain can summon His tears.

And who's to say which is more incredible: a man who raises the dead. . . or a God who weeps?

• Ricky -Jun 30, 1996