The story of Lazarus is a deeply emotional one. There is so much there to unpack for one blog. First we have Jesus waiting to go back to Bethany after he here's that Lazarus is sick. By the time he does show up, Lazarus has been dead and buried 4 days. Mary's first words to Jesus are, "Lord if you had been here Lazarus would not have died!". Was that a proclamation of faith or was that an indictment of Jesus? It's very hard to say. I think it's a little bit of both. Mary is being nice and venting at the same time it seems. She had seen Jesus heal many people. Maybe she even saw him raise Jairus' daughter who had just died. Why didn't he hurry back in time to help a person who he was close to? Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach Mary about his mission and who he his. He says to her,
"I am the resurrection and the life! He who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live!"He then asks to see where they have laid him. Jesus already knows where they have put him, but he wants Mary to show him. When they arrive, Jesus first prays to the Father and then asks that the tombstone be rolled back.
It is here, that Mary says those infamous words, "Lord, it's been 4 days and surely now he stinks!"
Mary thought that Lazarus was beyond the help of God. His flesh was rotting and being eaten by maggots. Death can be like watching a slowly dying fire. When a person has just died, nothing changes. Like the fire, we may still feel the warmth of the flame. There is still hope the fire could be re-ignited. But like a fire that has not only been out for a long time but has had water put on it as well we eventually give up all hope in them coming back to life. Mary was in that place too. She had lost all hope in Lazarus coming back any time soon. Jesus then calls out in a loud voice, "Lazarus! Come out!" and Mark records that immediately the dead man came out.
Who do we think stinks? Who do we think is beyond the help of God? Maybe it's a family member? Or a co-worker? Or a neighbor? Maybe it's a politician we don''t like or a famous person who mocks Christianity? We might case them off as un-save-able and too far gone. But Jesus stands at the doorway of their tombs and calls them out of their dark dungeons of despair. He calls US out of OUR tombs. Places were our flesh is rotting and we have no life in us and all seems to be lost. He beckons us to come out and be with him.
Jesus prayer to the Father is also important to look at as well. First, it shows that Jesus does nothing on his own accord, but only with the Father's blessing. Second, it shows that both the Father and the Son are in the life giving business. Too often Christians make the mistake of thinking the Father is against us, and that because his son Jesus is for us, then God the Father kind of goes along with him on saving the world (A sort of cosmic puppy Jesus brings to the Father to bring home with him... "Can we keep him Father?"). But that is so far from the truth. The Father and the Son work together to bring Lazarus back from the dead. They are both in the life giving business. They both love us. (Jesus said, 'I and the Father are ONE!')
Later in the book of Acts, Saul the persecutor becomes Paul the missionary. Shortly after Jesus confronts him on the road to Damascus, Saul is sent to Damascus and Jesus sends Ananias to go and give him sight back (Saul had been blinded). Ananias says to Jesus, 'Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm has has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call upon your name!'. Does Jesus need Ananias report on Saul to remind him who he is dealing with?? No. Of course not! Jesus knows fully who he's dealing with. He knows Saul even better than Ananias thinks he does. Ananias is basically saying, "God, this man Saul is too far gone! You can't be serious!"
How many people do we say are too far gone? How about Obama? How about Hillary? How about Bill Clinton? How about Trump? Who is too much for God to change? Do we pray for them?
Maybe it's you? Do you think you are too far gone. Do you feel un-save-able? The Bible is chuck-full of stories like yours. From Abraham, (a liar, an adulterer and a idol-worshiper) to Jacob (who tricks his father, extorts his brother to give him the inheritance) to Moses (a murderer) to Jonah (who runs from responsibility and from God) to David (an adulterer and a murderer) to Peter (a blasphemer who abandons Jesus) to Saul who later becomes Paul (a blasphemer, murderer, violent man). All are forgiven and shown abundant mercy. Do you think you stink more than them?
Listen to Jesus call out your name! He calls you out of the tomb of your despair and hopelessness!! You will stink no more!
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