JESUS AND LAZARUS!

JESUS AND LAZARUS!

John 12:10-13

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Matt 21:17

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

          John clearly connects Bethany, Lazarus and Jesus with the Triumphal Entry. At least some of those waving palm branches were there to see the previously dead Lazarus. There was no argument that Lazarus had been actually and really dead. He had been dead for four whole days before Jesus raised him up. Even the Jewish leaders could not deny it. I find it curious that the chief priests wanted to return him to his dead condition. Why would the chief priests stifle a truth so wonderful? It is clear that evil doesn’t have to make logical sense.

          Jesus was a frequent guest in the house of Mary, Martha and their brother, Lazarus. They were friends. After the parade in Jerusalem, Jesus resorted to their home in Bethany. It was a familiar kick-your-shoes-off arrangement with an appropriate amount of respect. I have often mused about the conversation between Lazarus and Jesus. Did they talk about what death was like? Did Jesus confirm what Heaven was like? There must have been some knowing winks between them.

          The death, burial, and resurrection of Lazarus preceded that of Jesus! The difference, of course, is that Lazarus would suffer death again. Jesus would not. One would return to life on earth. Jesus would ascend to the father. Lazarus would walk about in his resurrected earthly body while Jesus would spend forty days in his glorified body. Jesus could walk through walls but Lazarus could not.

Abide with me

By Henry F. Lyte (1847)

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Dear Jesus, lodge comfortably in my welcoming heart today. AMEN