Lazarus
(Larazus = Hebrew name “Eleazer,”
which means “God helps…”)
Life is
hard. Pain is real. Loss is inevitable….
Seems like
this year, Spring has definitely emerged early for us Texans! How can you not
help but smile when looking at the beautiful bluebonnets? Or listening to our little wren friend who
greets us every morning? Yep, the season
is upon us…and it all points to what has been transpiring over the past month – the resurrection of life.
The past few
weeks, I have been soaking in John 11. Can’t seem to get enough of it, and can’t wrap
my mind around the power of this story. Lazarus,
a person of distinction within his community, was resurrected from a decaying dead
corpse to a real live breathing person! “Dumbfounded”
doesn’t begin to describe how I feel!
Every time I
read it, I find more and more that this story isn’t so much about this mind-blowing
miracle that went down (However, I can’t think of a better way of getting my attention).
No, it’s all about a portrait of Jesus displayed for us: this is what Faith and Belief looks like!
The most
crucial part in the story is when Jesus prays to the Father….(verses 41-42),
“And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have
heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the
people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’”
Martha’s role
in the story actually brings great comfort to me. I often relate with her
“wishy-washy” responses. I don’t debate whether or not she actually believed. Rather, I believe that she thought she
believed, and knew how to believe, with what beliefs she had been given! LOL!
But just
like her, my faith tends to wobble off-and-on the fence as real doubt sets in. Instead
of looking up and believing in the unseen
(Hello? Jesus!), I tend to focus on what I can see, thinking I’m in control. Here are a few examples of what I
like to call:
“Martha’s Mixed Bag of Moodiness”
-
The famous “If Only….” Looking back in life with regret.
In John 11:21, we see the significant impact Jesus played out in Martha’s life...“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” How many times do we often go down the same rabbit trail trying to get answers? Thinking if we could have changed the past, we wouldn’t be in these circumstances. This gives us a false sense of control, and even worse, leads us to blaming others.
- Typical text book response when we “think” we already know the answer…
In verses 23-25, Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha responds back with, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I AM THE RESURRECTION!” Talk about getting schooled!!! How often do we get caught up in our own “mania” of logic and totally miss the point. Not only that, but we tend to makes things much more complicated than they already are.
- Resisting change when hard work is involved! I just want to stay in my comfort zone...
In verses 39-40, Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, (love how God keeps reiterating Lazarus is dead, just in case you got up for some popcorn!) She said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Ouch!!! Sometimes it takes the stern words from people we love and trust to wake us up to reality! Jesus is done with hearing the petty excuses of it will “smell” and “too much time has gone by.”
How often I can relate to all of this. Why is it so hard to trust? But thank
God, our loving Christ already knows! Check out verses 33, 35 and 38. He wept, mourned, and grieved just like we do.
Even though he already knows he’s won the victory in the war, it’s amazing to
see the details of emotions in each moment along the way. He remembers, and hears us….
Stay tuned for Part II, of this
incredible story! “From Lying to Living Lazarus.”
