49-Lazarus-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Lazarus
PORTALS OF PARADISE

December AD 29
Jerusalem, Judea

�� It is cold and blustery, nonetheless busy.� It starts with a bang.� It will end with a hiss.�

�� Winter begins with the great Hanukkah celebration. Jesus attends the celebration.� He pays little attention to the foreign powers ~ as usual.� He shows up in the Temple and makes the religious leaders mad ~ as usual.� They're not the Sanhedrin, but they want to get on their good side.� They started it ~ the quarrel. [1]

�� Jesus has just arrived.� He is walking along a portico near the Temple gate.� Close enough.

�� "So, are you the Deliverer?" they demand.� "The one who is supposed to free us from Rome in the name of God?"

�� This would be a good time to declare it, Jesus.� The whole nation is here.� So tell them.� Are you?

�� It is a trap.� If they can get him to admit it, they can have him arrested for treason.� Good thinking.� Repeat the question.

�� "Uh, Jesus.� Don't keep us in suspense like this.� Tells us.� Yes or no.� That's all it takes.� Yes or no." [2]

�� Jesus replies with a few introductory statements.

�� "That's not what we asked.� Just yes or no.� That's all we want."

�� "God, my father, and I are one and the same." [3]

�� That's close enough.� It's not treason, but it's blasphemy.� Both punishable by execution.�

�� Sadistic laughter.

�� "He claims he is God!� Nice going, Jesus!" [4]

�� "He's crazy!� Demon-possessed!"

�� Why wait to turn him in to the authorities?� He might hurl tables at them.� Or lightening bolts.

�� "Let's save the Jewish Sanhedrin some trouble and the Roman government some money.� Trials are expensive."

�� The religious leaders have come prepared.� They actually have what they need already piled up right outside the Temple gate ~ the stones. [5]

�� But Jesus is cool.� Level headed.� He fights back with words.� They cannot fight the words.� That's what scares them so much.� He is word. [6]

�� Well, maybe they'd better back off.� Maybe they'd better have him arrested.� One way or another, they will get him.

January AD 30
Province of Perea

�� Jesus sneeks out of Jerusalem.� He has a little more teaching to do.� He goes east across the Jordan again, taking the old route John the Baptizer did when he left Jerusalem for the last time.�

�� He gradually works his way over to where he was baptized three years earlier.� He has neglected this area, partly because John preached here.� But with John dead, he needs to return and reassure the people. [7]

�� John....� Ah, yes, John.� It has been awhile since he has thought of him.� Jesus feels a new kinship with him now.� John went before him in the ministry.� Then he went before him in death.

�� Jesus also needs to reassure himself.� If he goes back north to where he was baptized, perhaps he can build up in himself the self-assurance he needs to face what he does not want to face.� It is just three months away now.� His own death.� John carried it out.� Jesus can carry it out too.�

�� "Watch out for King Herod," someone warns him after a speech.� "You're in the territory of his winter palace.� He is still trying to kill you.� He killed John the Baptiser, you know.� He is still after you." [8]

�� Everywhere Jesus goes, someone is trying to kill him.� Religious people.� Political people.� Like a bandit.� Like a criminal, a gangster.� Like a heretic.� Like God.

�� But not everyone.� Just the leaders.� Jesus has become a folk hero to the common people.� That is why he is so dangerous to the leaders.

�� "Tell King Herod I'm on my way!"

�� Jesus, don't just walk into the jaws of the lion!

�� "But he'll be victorious for only three days!"

�� How's that, Jesus?� We don't understand.

�� "Soon I will work my way back to Jerusalem and back out of your territory, King Herod.� When I do, you will witness the common people elevating me to one higher than you, elevating me to the King of heaven." [9]

�� Jesus will now work his way back south.� Slowly now.� But progressively.

�� Closer now and closer he works his way toward the portal of Jerusalem.� Closer and closer to the portal of death.

�� Teaching as he goes.� So little time left.� So much to explain.� They'll need knowledge and courage to continue on after he is gone.�

�� Telling stories maybe they will understand.�� Talking mostly about the lost.� Lost animals, lost money, lost children, lost businesses, lost lives.� Mankind is the chronic loser.� God is the surprising finder. [10]

February AD 30

�� A knock on his rented room door.� "Message, sir."

�� Jesus takes it, pays the messenger, then closes his door.

�� "The one you love is sick."� No name.� Protect the sick man's identity.� Protect Jesus' identity. [11]

�� The message is signed Mary and Martha.� There are a lot of Marys and Marthas.� If the message had been intercepted, it would not be too easy to trace two women with such common names.� But Lazarus.� Not too many men named Lazarus these days.� Better not mention his name. [12]

�� Not now.� Why now?� Just when he must face the eminance of his own death, a close fiend faces death.� It is too much.� Well, maybe he can slip across the Jordan to Bethany, heal Lazarus without anyone knowing where he is, then slip back over to safety.

�� Jesus sits down on his bed pallet.� He recalls good times he has had with Lazarus over the last few years.� And Lazarus's faith.� He not only believes Jesus is the new deliverer of the people, but also can deliver people from sins.� Somehow Lazarus knows this.� How many long talks they had the last couple years.� Talks way into the night.

�� Tears come to his eyes as Jesus envisions the suffering Lazarus is going through.� And the suffering of his sisters.� And his own suffering.� Part of him does not want them to suffer.� But the other part of him knows that it is only through facing the enemy head on that one can be a conqueror. [13]

�� Jesus now knows what he must do.� The time.� It will assure him.� and it will assure everyone else.� Thank you, god, for Lazarus who is about to die.

�� Don't be afraid, Lazarus.� You'll be fine.� But Jesus must wait for you to go through the whole thing first.� You are going to be the example.� You must go through it all.� The suffering.� And the dying.� Yes, Lazarus.� You will die.� Then you will be the example.

Bethany, Judea

�� How devastated Mary and Martha are.� Indeed, their tears reign when out of sight of their brother.� Their courageous smiles reign while within his sight.� Taking turns sitting with him.� Making sure he gets his medicine when he is supposed to.� Urging him to eat when he does not want to.� Putting cold cloths on his head to help keep down the relentless fever.

�� Cancelling all plans for a personal life.� Every day at his side.� Every night.� Sitting.� Staring.� Praying.� Watching his life ebb away like a silent leak in the sphere of his world.� With each wave of breath, the next wave does not come back to shore quite as far.� Each breath sustaining him, but artificially so.� Each breath farther from life.

�� Weaker and weaker.� The room seemingly darker.� Staler.� Even the flowers don't bring any freshness.� Only musty air, refusing to be filtered with life.� Heavy, heavy air.� Heavy, heavy hearts.

�� "Oh, Lord," the sisters pray.� "Please bring Jesus to heal Lazarus.� He loves him.� He wouldn't want him to die.� They are close.� Please, God.� Bring Jesus to us.� Bring healing. �Don't let our brother die.� Please, don't let him die."

�� They receive word from the messenger that their message has been received.� Jesus is apparently only one day away from them.� They laugh and thank God.� Then they run to tell their brother.

�� "Lazarus!� He's just one day away.� Hang on, Lazarus.� Hang on.� He'll be here by this time tomorrow.� Jesus is going to heal you.� Hang on, Lazarus...."

�� He has been through a lot the last few weeks.� The sudden illness.� Being told the doctors can do nothing for him but make him comfortable.� Being told it is terminal.� Being told he cannot last more than a month.

�� Day after day he grows weaker and weaker.� Day after day he tries to smile for the sake of others, to ease their own heart pain.� Day after day and one by one Lazarus silently cancels his plans.� Plans to get the house painted this summer.� Plans to travel out west to see some friends.� Plans to write that book.� Go on a diet.� Learn how to read Egyptian.

�� Day after day Lazarus says good-bye to life.� One by one he lets go of his future.� For deep down Lazarus knows there is no more future.

�� Friends come to see him and bring flowers.� At first they tell him the latest news in town, but soon realize it is a world Lazarus is no longer a part of.� So occasionally they bring a scripture scroll along and read about a vision of Jeremiah or Ezekiel or one of the Psalms of David.� Does he know?� They do not bring it up exactly.� The dying.� But they infer it a lot.

�� At night, sometimes Mary or Martha sings to him.� His favorite songs.� Songs they sang growing up together.� And his favorite hymns.� More recently have they sung songs of heaven.� But not real often.� It grows harder to get through them.

�� So tired.� Everyone so tired.� Emotions hanging by a thread.� time hanging by a thread.� Why can't time stand still?� Oh, it will in heaven.� But why not now?� Why can't they keep their family all together like it always was?� Why the thread?� Why suffering?� Why death?

�� Why God?????

Province of Perea

�� "I have an announcement to make," Jesus says the next morning at breakfast.

�� They had known there was something.� He had been quieter than usual.

�� "Lazarus is very sick.� He is dying.� But he will not die.� He is going through this so the Son of God will be praised by what will happen." [14]

�� That is all he says.� They give thanks to Go for their food and pray that God will be with Lazarus in his hour of trial.

�� Nothing is said about going that close to Jerusalem.� They are better off where they are.� At least they are not in the hornet's nest like they would be there.

�� Surely Lazarus will understand.� Surely Lazarus will know they cannot get that close to Jerusalem.� Surely Lazarus realizes healing him could very possibly mean Jesus' own death.

�� They feel confident that Jesus will heal Lazarus by long distance as he has a few other times before.� He can do it.� They know he will do it for Lazarus too. [15]

�� Jesus makes another speech that afternoon.� But he stays put.� He makes no effort to get closer to Jerusalem.

�� Good thinking, Jesus.� Does this mean you are changing your mind?� Does this mean you have decided to back off?� Can't lead the people dead, you know.� Got to keep a cool head.

�� That evening at dinner Jesus is quiet again.� They do not understand it.� Didn't he say that Lazarus would not die?� Why the gloomy look?� But they do not argue.� Sometimes they just do not understand Jesus.� They know he will explain everything in his own good time.� So they wait.

�� The next day Lazarus will die.

Bethany, Judea

�� All night Mary and Martha are at his bed side.� All night they dare to hope against hope.� All night they wonder why Jesus has not yet come.� After all, they are best friends.� How can he forsake his close friend like this?� All night, with every sound, they look up hopefully toward the door.� Hoping Jesus will open it and walk in.� Hoping Jesus will smile and heal their Lazarus.

�� "Oh God.� Jesus said he loved us.� Why is he doing this to us?� Why is he forsaking Lazarus like this?� It's not fair, God.� He saved everyone but one of his closest friends.� Why, God?� Why are you making us go through this?� It isn't fair, God!� It isn't fair!"

�� Morning comes, yet it does not come.� The healing.� The sun comes, yet all is dark.� Lazarus' breathing is becoming more and more shallow.� Less defined.� Less effective.� Slower his pulse beat.� Slower his life travels until....�� at last....�� it comes to a pause....�� and stops.

�� Mary and Martha sit awhile and stare at their brother's body.� But they know not to do it too long.� For he will soon be cold.� They know they cannot cling to his life any longer.� They know he is through with his body.� They try to rejoice that he is in heaven now, but they cannot.� For their own sakes they cannot.� Their lives now seem so empty. [16]

�� They do not mention Jesus.� They do not know what to say.� They are confused.� Overwhelmed with dilemma.� Trying to fight back the bitterness that is knocking at their door.� Where was God when they needed him?

�� A message is sent to a couple of close friends.� In a couple hours they will arrive with burial spices and swaddling wrappings for embalming. [17]

�� While they wait, Mary and Martha sit around the house feeling limp and useless.� If only....� If only....

�� As friends spread the word, well wishers come to their home.

�� "He was such a fine man, Lazarus was."

�� That afternoon is the funeral.

�� The wailing is loud and mournful.� The funeral dirge is soft and painfully melancholy.� They try to imagine angels singing it.

�� The testimonials are magnificent.� They are reminded that his life was not lived in vain.

�� The eulogy is touching.� They are told to remember that Lazarus is better off now where he is.

�� Still the tears.� The grief.� The questions.

�� Jesus couldn't even make it to the funeral.� What kind of man is he anyway?

�� Another service at the grave side.� Then they put him in a cave long ago set aside for the family.� Some strong men push the large bolder in front of the entrance to guard it against grave robbers.� And walk away.

�� Lazarus is gone.� Forever gone.

�� Perhaps they were expecting too much of Jesus.� After all, they couldn't expect him to sacrifice his own life for Lazarus's.� That would be too much of a sacrifice.� People need him for the movement.� People need Jesus to save all of them, not just Lazarus.

�� They try to accept it.� It's hard.� So very hard.

Province of Perea

�� "Okay.� It is time to go closer to Jerusalem."

�� "Are you out of your mind, Jesus?� They're trying to kill you."

�� "Now wait a minute, Jesus.� We thought we had all this worked out.� You were not going to get any closer than this.� That's why we have been here a week." [18]

�� "It is daylight.� I can see exactly what I am doing.� My eyes are wide open." [19]

�� They do not reply.� They know his mind is set.

�� Jesus continues.� "Our friend, Lazarus, is sleeping now.� I'm going to go to him and wake him up." [20]

�� "Hey, that's great.� Sleep is good.� He is on his way to recovery.� He will be fine.� That is good news."

�� "You don't understand, guys," he explains quietly, his eyes misting over.� "Lazarus is dead."

�� "He's dead?� But we thought...."

�� "I did not want to be there when it happened.� This will provide fuel for your faith because of what is about to happen to me next." [21]

�� They stare at Jesus perplexed.� If he was going to heal Lazarus, why didn't he do it?� Why go now?� It is too late.� Jesus will just get himself killed, then they'll both be dead.� Besides, he has never raised anyone from the dead unless it was just a few hours later.� What's going on?

�� "We're going to Lazarus now."

�� To the territory ruled by Procurator Pilate?� To the territory where the holy Temple is?� To the territory where death is?

�� "Jesus, the leaders are trying to have you executed there.� What are you thinking about?� Don't go there.� We beg you!� Don't go there!" [22]

�� Jesus does not reply.� Jesus is stubborn.� He waits.

�� Decisions must be made.� Serious decisions.� Twelve of them.

�� As they continue to stare at Jesus, they know they are staring at their own deaths.� If they go with him, they know he will be killed.� They know they will be killed too.� Each turns inward.� Before it was just a possibility.� Now it is a reality. �Their own deaths.

�� Jesus lets them think.

�� Sometimes they look over at Peter.� The Peter who was always the first to declare his undying loyalty.� But Peter remains silent.� How about cousin James?� Or John?� Anybody?� Nothing?

�� Thomas slaps his knee with his fist.� He stares at the others.� Intently.

�� "What are we waiting for?"� He stands.� Resolutely, he stands.� "Let's go!� We will die with Jesus!" [23]

�� The others stare at Thomas.� Of course they know he is right.� They do not know why Peter held back this time.� But Thomas came through.� Thanks, Thomas.� We needed that.

�� Somberly they pack everything up.� One by one they excuse themselves and scrawl out a quick message to be sent back home.

�� "I just wanted you to know, Mother, that I love you."

�� "Father, I appreciate everything you ever did for me."

�� "Sweetheart, you have meant the world to me."

�� "Children, now you obey your mother.� And always know I love you."

�� Yes, Jesus is stubborn.� Now they, too, become stubborn.� Never will they leave Jesus' side.� Never!� Even if it means death. [24]

Bethany, Judea

�� Late the following day they arrive on the outskirts of Bethany.�

�� Everyone recognizes Jesus now.� They are amazed.� He is walking down the road in broad daylight.

�� Someone with transportation turns and rushes to the house.� "Jesus is here," they explain.

�� "He must stay where he is.� Let me borrow your donkey.� It will be faster."

�� Yes, even in your grief, protect Jesus.� He has taken his chances coming this close to Jerusalem.

�� "Jesus is here, Mary," Martha explains, getting her heavy winter robe.

�� Mary does not know how to respond.� She does not know if she is hurt or happy.� Why couldn't Jesus come when it mattered?� She is overwhelmed with mixed emotions.� She hangs back. [25]

�� Martha rushes out the gate and to the awaiting donkey.� In twenty minutes she sees Jesus' friends who are always with him.� She ties up her donkey and looks among the crowd for him.

�� Jesus and his apostles have put together a quick shelter with nearby fallen branches and piled it with leaves.� Jesus and a couple others are huddled under it quietly waiting.�

�� Jesus sees Martha, gets up, and slowly walks up to her.� The two mourners embrace.

�� Her tears slip quietly down reddened cheeks for but a moment.� Now they are sobs.� Martha cannot help it.� All the emotion she has kept under control suddenly comes rushing out.� She pulls away and looks up at Jesus.

�� "If you had only been here.� He wouldn't have died." [26]

�� Jesus remains silent and embraces her again comfortingly.� There is something else she wants to says.� He waits.� His twelve aides, his closest friends, gather around them sympathetically.

�� Martha is having second thoughts.� She looks up at him again.� Apologetically.� Expectantly.�

�� "I know whatever you ask God to do, he will still do it."

�� Martha, you surely aren't thinking....� Martha, don't even go there.�

�� "Even now, God will do it." [27]

�� Are you sure about that?� Your brother has been dead four days.� Embalming is limited.� Even in the cold weather, well, nature still takes its toll.� He's not the same any more.� Martha, how could you even think such a thing?� He would just be a zombie.� No, Martha.� No!

�� Jesus smiles and whispers.� "Yes, Martha.� He will.� Lazarus will be brought back to life." [28]

�� Oh, the words Martha longed to hear.� Dare she hope again?� Dare she believe Jesus ~ who can do it if he wants ~ actually will do it?� Maybe she is expecting too much.� Maybe she had better proceed slowly. �Test Jesus a little.� Maybe she misunderstood.

�� "I know he will be brought back to life on the last day of the world." [29]

�� "Martha, I am that resurrection.� I am that life."

�� Martha has new tears now.� But different tears.� Tears of hope.

�� "Anyone who believes me, even though he dies, will live again."

�� Martha dares a slight smile.

�� "Whoever believes me while he lives will never die.� Do you believe me, Martha?" [30]

�� Martha needs to go all the way.� She needs to say what she is thinking out loud.

�� "Oh, Jesus, I do.� I do.� I know what you are saying.� I have believed it for a long time.� You are not just our Deliverer.� You came to earth from heaven.� You are the Son of God!" [31]

�� "Where is Mary?"

�� "Back at the house.� She stayed there with the guests."

�� "I'd like to see her."

�� "Certainly.� I'll be back as soon as I can."

�� Martha mounts her donkey and rushes back into town and home.� It is full of mourners.� They meet her at the gate and try to comfort her.� She receives them as graciously as she can while working her way to her sister. [32]

�� "Mary!� Mary!"

�� She goes to her sister, stoops down and whispers something in her ear.

�� "Mary, Jesus wants to see you.� He is asking for you."

�� Mary pulls back a moment.

�� "Please don't be angry with him, Mary.� Please go see him.� He's just outside of town.� It's too dangerous for him to come further.� We must protect him.� Must he too die?" [33]

�� How can Mary hold back?� How can Mary turn away from the one Lazarus loved so much?� The guests can take care of themselves awhile.�

�� "Did anyone here just arrive?" Martha announces to the crowd in her home.� "Could Mary borrow your donkey?"

�� Tears return to her eyes.� "I know you are right," she confesses to her sister.� "He loved Lazarus so."

�� Mary stands, grabs her heavy winter robe, and runs out the gate.� By this time, someone is outside holding a donkey for her. [34]

�� "She's going back to the cemetery."

�� "We cannot let her go alone." [35]

�� So the crowd follows Mary.� They follow her down the road.� But she does not turn where they expect her to.� The cemetery is not that way.� Still they follow her.� What if she does something rash?� What if Martha did something rash?� What is going on?

�� Martha and Marry arrive at the stop-over.� Mary is the first off her donkey.� Martha intentionally holds back a moment.

�� When Mary spots Jesus, her tears rush back.� Through blinding tears, she rushes to him.� She can barely make him out in the dimness of her vision.� He walks toward her and reaches out his arms to comfort her.

�� Instead, Mary only touches him, then sinks to the cold, lifeless ground.� Uncontrolled.� Bitter grief.� Prostrate in defeat.� He bends down and tries to help her back up.� She resists.

�� "If you'd been here, he wouldn't have died!" [36]

�� She had to say it.� She had to let him know how she felt.� Even though she has forgiven him, she must say it.� Jesus lets her without quarreling.� Of course it is true.

�� The tears again.� Martha joins her sister.� The three huddle together in anguish.

�� By now their friends have caught up with them, and join the little group among the barren trees.� They weep.� And cannot be comforted.

�� Jesus tries in vain to comfort his friends.� They are comfortless.� It is not fair.� Death is not fair.

�� Jesus is aware of another presence that they are not.� They cannot see nor hear the presence.� Jesus does.� That presence is laughing in sadistic derision.� Hideous laughter.� The condemner has condemned.� It is Satan.

�� Jesus grows angry.� Angry at all that Satan causes in this world.� No, it is never God's idea to kill.� It is always Satan's.� God only stands back and lets it happen when it can do some good somehow.� It is time, once again, to stand up to Satan.� It is time, once again, to show the world whose side to be on. [37]

�� Jesus pulls away from the grieving sisters.� His muscles tighten.� He is ready to do battle.� It is not an easy battle.� Death is Satan's greatest weapon.� It is iron clad.� It cannot easily be penetrated.

�� "Where did you bury him?"

�� Jesus is ready.� Ready to square off.� Ready to put on his fighting gear.

�� "Follow us." [38]

�� The crowd stirs in confusion.

�� "Isn't that Jesus?"

�� "Isn't that the one they are trying to kill?"

�� "What's he doing here?"

�� "He's just asking for trouble.� He'll never escape now."

�� Martha leads the way, followed by Mary, then Jesus and his aides, and finally their friends from Bethany and Jerusalem.

�� They file into the cemetery and get off their mounts.� Mary and Martha wait for Jesus to join them.� He takes each by the hand. �One on each side.� Slowly they walk.� Ever closer to the grave.� Lazarus's grave.� The pit of death.

�� Martha in tears.

�� Mary in tears.

�� Jesus in tears. [39]

�� The onlookers watch.

�� "Look at how much he loved Lazarus," some whisper.

�� "If he loved him so much, why didn't he heal him like he did that blind man?" [40]

�� Jesus stops short of the tomb.� The three stand and look ahead of them.� Jesus' demeanor once more changes.� He stands up straighter.� He lets go over their hands.� He clinches his cold fists.

�� The two sisters grow suspicious.� But they are not sure.� Their tears are not sure.� Some are tears of sadness.� Some are tears of relief.� Which shall they be?� What dare they feel?��

�� Confusion.

�� Everyone but Jesus.� He knows what must be done.� It will take inconceivable concentration.�

�� It builds in him.� He becomes adamant.� Will against will.� Good against bad.� Right against evil.� He groans aloud.� Not a whimper but a rumble.

�� He walks closer to the cave and the great stone that stands sentry over the dead.� Martha and Mary stay close. [41]

�� "Take the stone away!"

�� His words are loud.� The crowd mutters.� People ask each other if he said what they thought he said.� He is out of his mind.

�� "No, Jesus!" Martha says in alarm.� He's been dead four days!"� She looks at the men in the crowd.� "No, don't!" [42]

�� Jesus does not look at them.� He does not release his hold.� He looks straight ahead.� "Did I not tell you just a few minutes ago that if you believe, you will see God unmatchable power?" [43]

�� Martha looks at the men.� "Do it," she says hesitantly.

�� The men stay still.

�� "I said, do it.� Roll the stone away."

�� No one knows it, but the same words will be repeated in just a few months.� Only this time it will be at Jesus' own tomb.� And the words will come from God. [44]

�� Jesus has not moved from his place.� His soul grows stronger and trembles with power.� Satan grows weaker and quakes with dread.

�� The men obediently, but against their better judgment, roll away the stone.� They hold their breath, waiting for the stench of death. [45]

�� "They must be out of their minds, all of them," one of them mutters after the deed is done.

�� They run from the entrance choking.� One of them throws up.� Women in the funeral pull their shawls over their noses.� The men raise their hands and try in vain to protect their stinging nostrels from the terrible smell of the grave.

�� Jesus is now raising both arms toward the heavens.� He is speaking.� No, he is shouting!

�� "Father!"� Yes, the source of life.� Address that source.� Give credit to whom credit is due.

�� "Father!"� His words echo through the barren trees and from rock to rock among the hills.

�� "Thank you for already hearing me!"

�� Satan is cowering, quivering in defeat.

�� "I've always known you hear me!"

�� His words rush from earth and fly through the cosmos to the throne of God.

�� "I want everyone here today to hear me so they will know it is the God of Life who sent me!"

�� The crowd stares in disbelief.� "He is possessed!"

�� But Satan knows the truth.� And quakes.� All that is left is the surrender.

�� Now, with all the power of the universe in his being, Jesus is moving his arms slowly down so they are pointing toward the dead.

�� The stance of a warrior.� A conqueror.� God of all.

�� "L A Z A R U S !" he shouts.

�� Death is rumbling.� Shaking.� Quivering.� Satan is writhing in torment.� His hold is slipping.� He Is doomed.� He cannot possibly win.� No, wait!� Lazarus, don't do this!� Lazarus, you're mine!� I got you!� Lazarus, I order you not to go!

�� "C O M E�� O U T�� T O�� U S!" [46]

�� Still Jesus is standing where he is.� Unmovable.� Unshakable.� The essence of power.� The personification of final authority.

�� There is movement!� But no one is there!� Yes there is!� A hand!� What is going on?

�� The people are standing back in horror mingled with amazement.

�� Then they see it.� A mummy walking to the entrance.� And stepping through the door.� People continue to watch in disbelief.� They gasp.

�� Still completely wrapped in burial bands.� And horribly deformed with all the spices. [47]

�� He cannot see.� His head is still wrapped up.� He is a zombie.� A horrible, hideous zombie! [48]

�� Martha is now walking forward a little.

�� "Don't do it, Martha!� Stay away from it!"

�� Mary is behind her.

�� "We're warning you."

�� They are stopping again.� And wondering.�

�� The crowd is cowering.�

�� Jesus is laughing.

�� "Take those things off of him, someone, and free him to walk better." [49]

�� Go right up to him, Jesus?� Are you kidding?

�� Simon gets up the courage and eases over to Lazarus.� He passes Jesus.� He tries to look confident.� It does not show very much.�

�� Just a few feet away they hear it.

�� "Hey guys!� My get me outa here!"

�� "It's Lazarus!"

�� "Lazarus?� That you?"

�� Simon runs forward.� He stops, unsure whether to touch him.� Lazarus reaches out and touches Simon.�

�� "Simon, is that you?� Get these bands off my head.� I can't see a thing!"

�� Simon reaches up.� He pauses.� He begins to unwrap from the bottom of his head.� He feel's Lazarus' chin.� It is warm.� It is alive.

�� The two men look at each other.� Lazarus smiles.

�� Martha and Mary walk to him and help with the unwrapping.� Spices fall to the ground and the sweetness fills the air.

�� As they work, Lazarus is looking ahead.� Once done, the sisters embrace their brother, but Lazarus still looks straight ahead.� The sisters understand and let him go.

�� Jesus and the undead walk toward each other.� Not a spook show.� Not a nightmare.� Nothing like Satan would have anyone think.� Returning to life is glorious.� Returning to life is wonderful.� Returning to life is like the universe taking a full breath.

�� "Jesus, I heard you there."

�� Yes.� Welcome back.

�� "But I don't quite understand.� I was just getting used to things.� I liked it there."

�� You have witnessed of me before.� Now you will witness of me like never before.

�� "Without a doubt you are God!" [50]

�� These words echo.� Across the hillside.� Through the valleys and hills beyond.� And to Jerusalem.� Into the offices and hearts of the religious leaders.� Satan changes the site of his next skirmish.� He finds others to serve his purposes. [51]

Jerusalem, Judea

�� A meeting is quickly called of the entire Sanhedrin.� Behind closed doors.� As usual.

�� "He's done it again!"

�� "But this time it is worse than ever."

�� "He's raised a dead man back to life that everyone knows and half of Jerusalem saw dead." [52]

�� "We've lost."

�� "We are going to lose our positions.� The writing is on the wall."

�� "Our entire careers down the drain."

�� "The Roman rulers are going to take us out of office and put this Jesus and his aides in our place.� They won't take the chance of a civil war."

�� "We'll probably be exiled after that."

�� "Or executed." [53]

�� High Priest Caiaphas has called the meeting.� He does not like the direction it is going.� This is not what he had in mind.� He must regain control before they self-destruct in cowardice.

�� Caiaphas was appointed by Pilate to be the high priest.� He knows Pilate.� He knows how to get around him.� They are friends, though it is not politically prudent to let the commoners know this.� Friends in private only.� It is part of the game.

�� He jumps to his feet.�

�� "Listen to yourselves!" he shouts.� "If you had any common sense, you would know how to handle this situation!" [54]

�� Everyone stares at their leader expectantly.� Does he know something they do not?

�� "It is better that one man be turned over to the Romans and executed for treason rather than the whole nation suffer for it.� We must have him executed!� We can delay no longer!� For the good of the people!" [55]

Bethany, Judea

�� Jesus spends a little more time with Lazarus.� Martha and Mary too.� Everything is back to normal.� Temporarily.

�� "We must leave now.� Right on the other side of the Mt. of Olives is Jerusalem.� It's too dangerous here."

�� "We understand.� You have no idea how grateful we are, Jesus, that you risked your life for Lazarus."

�� Jesus does know.� There will be more.� He will risk his life for the whole world.

�� But for now he will retreat.� It is not quite time.� Let the religious leaders show themselves for what they really are.� Let them hang themselves.

�� That night, the little group of men goes to a backroad, takes a raft across the Jordan, and retreats once more to Perea.� He will stay there two more months.� Then it will be time.

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Think of something you need to do that is good but which you have put off because you fear character assassination.� How will you handle accusations when you know you are right?

2.�� No hero became a hero because things were easy.� It was always just the opposite.� Make a specific plan to do that good which you considered above.

3.�� Most people fear death.� We talk about the cruelty of death as though it is a punishment.� But it is not to the saved person.� The saved person just transfers from one realm on earth to another realm in heaven.� Look at Luke 16:19-31 in the Bible.� Specifically notice verse 22 that says angels carried the good man to heaven.� How does that make you feel about death?

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