Lazarus

      In John 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus became sick and died. Perhaps you remember the story.

      At the beginning of the chapter, Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus about his sickness. The Great Physician, however, did not go immediately. He waited several days allowing Lazarus to die and then went on to Bethany.

      He met Mary and Martha. He taught them some things about Himself and about the resurrection. He went to the tomb and He wept. Considering He knew the great miracle He was about to perform, I am not exactly sure why He wept, but He did.

      Finally, He asked that the tomb’s stone be removed. He prayed to the Father and then called Lazarus forth. Amazingly, Lazarus came forth.

      On this side of death, most of us say thing this was a great blessing for Lazarus. Was it really? Considering Lazarus’ friendship with Jesus and considering the spiritual nature of his sisters, I believe Lazarus was a faithful servant of God.

      His death freed him from the sorrows, temptations and trials of life in the flesh. His death delivered him into the bosom of Abraham, the paradise of God. He was communing with the saints of ages past, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, David and so many others. Then he was called back to this earth, to live in the flesh again. Does that sound like a blessing to you? I am sure Jesus understood what His miracle would mean for Lazarus. Perhaps that is why He wept.

      Here is my question. After experiencing the bliss of paradise and then returning to earth, how do you think Lazarus lived? Do you think he consciously entered into a bunch of sin? Do you think he was ambivalent to serving the Lord from that point on?

      I imagine he had a determination to serve God to the uttermost to assure a return to the paradise of the Lord.

      Someone might say, “Edwin, you are speculating, perhaps Lazarus had not been faithful and instead had been sent to torment.” If that is the case, then the resurrection would have been a great blessing, but my question remains the same. How do you think Lazarus lived after this resurrection?

      Bring this home to us. According to Romans 6:1-11, we were dead in our sins, but we died to sin in baptism and were made alive in Jesus Christ. We have been given a clean slate. The sins have been washed away and we are spiritually in paradise with God, communing with Him and a reservation has been made in heaven for us (I Peter 1:4).

      Having received that great gift from God, how will we live? Will we sacrifice the gift for some moments of sin? Or will we do all in our power to hang on to that gift and meet Lazarus in heaven?

Edwin L. Crozier