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Lazarus' theophostic conversationSunday, April 10, 2011
John 11:1-54 Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. Jesus met the sisters and saw Lazarus' tomb. He wept. Then he said, "Take away the stone. "Father, thank you for hearing me. Lazarus, come forth!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."
From that day on, the chief priests planned to kill him. So Jesus no longer walked in public among the Jews.
Jesus is my beloved son. He listens and speaks what he hears. You are my son, Lazarus, and now you have had your eyes and ears opened. But Father, Jesus is in trouble for helping me. The Pharisees are afraid of him. They want to kill him. What good is it for me to be saved and for Jesus to die? Lazarus, Lazarus, close your eyes and ears to everything but me right now. I know exactly what I'm doing. Do you believe that? Will you believe that no matter what happens? How could I not, Lord? I'm not afraid to die myself. But no matter what Jesus does, he seems to be headed down a path away from victory. The forces against him are evil, not good. And they are getting stronger. No, they aren't, Lazarus. No, they aren't. Don't be afraid. Remember that I've given you the kingdom. Jesus told you that. And it's more true than any thought in your head. Live your life. Celebrate. Put a great feast on for Jesus, and invite everyone. Rejoice while he is here. You heard his voice call you from death. Rejoice, Lazarus. You were dead. Now you're alive. I don't understand anything beyond this timeless moment with you, Father. There's a surge in my chest and I want to shout with joy, laugh and laugh, sing with all my might. Death, you've lost your sting. Death, you have no victory. Death, you are not the end of anything anymore. Jesus is alive. And I am alive. Jesus is the champion. three great story songs: |
I couldn't see anything at first, of course. But then they cleaned the gauze off my face, and I slowly opened my eyes. Everyone was looking at me. Their mouths were open. They were gasping. My legs were shaky, but I stayed standing. And then I saw Jesus. He had called me out. He stood there in front of me, tears in his eyes. My friend stretched out his arms. He called on you, Father, to raise me up, and raise me up You did.