Dead Man Walking

(by Pastor Joe)

John 11

We don't know much about Lazarus. His sisters Mary and Martha get much more space in the Scriptures. Unlike them, we have no record of Lazarus saying anything. He is only mentioned in the 11th and 12th chapters of this Gospel. If there was a play about the Gospel of John, and you were not too keen on memorizing lines, then the best role for you would be Lazarus. (This is coming from a kid who always angled for the least involved roles in school plays- i.e. a tree, an animal, a guard, a gentleman in waiting. Why try to be Hamlet when you could be Rosencrantz or Guildenstern?)

Mary and Martha are forces of nature in their own unique way. They are the ultimate tag-team and complement each other well. Martha focuses on doing. Mary focuses on being. Martha acts and moves and serves. Mary waits and sits and listens. Both madly love Jesus. (See Luke 10:38-42)

And in this story they both, though at separate times, rush out to meet Jesus. They both interact with Him and they both express their disappointment with Jesus' timing. Both of them still show their faith in Jesus, despite their grief and failed expectations. Both recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.

Lazarus, well, he dies. But in many ways, Lazarus is a living metaphor of us.

He suffered with an illness that resulted in his death.
We likewise suffer with a sickness called sin, that results in eternal death. (Romans 6:23)

He was dead, and he could not save himself.
We are likewise "dead in our transgressions and sins" (Eph. 2:1) and we cannot save ourselves.

But verse 3 tells us that Lazarus was loved by Jesus.
We too are loved, despite ourselves. (Romans 5:8)

Lazarus was called by Jesus and heard his voice.
We likewise have been called by name by Jesus Christ. (John 10:3)

He was raised from the dead.
We have been given eternal life and death is no longer the final word. (Eph. 2:6)

He was freed from his grave clothes.
We have been give beautiful robes of Christ's righteousness, and no longer have to be entangled in sin and filth. (1 Co. 6:11)

In short, Lazarus demonstrates the total sufficiency of Jesus Christ. It is He who loves us, He who calls us, He who rescues us and He who brings new life. We cannot conjure up any of this on our own. So quit trying and instead, follow the example of good old Lazarus- simply respond to His words of life.

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