20January2015 Dead

“The man who had died came forth…” When Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” something amazing happened. A very dead Lazarus walked out of the tomb, resurrected.  John’s account of one of Jesus’ most famous miracles. paints in vivid detail Jesus’ supreme authority over both life and death.  You can nearly smell the decay wrapped up in Lazarus’ burial cloths.  You can almost hear Jesus’ declaration of Lazarus’ independence reverberate across the Judean hillside.  The impossible happened.  A dead man was raised.  But this wasn’t the first time dead lungs gasped fresh breath.

In the seventh chapter of Luke, the physician shares another account.  Jesus, while approaching the city gates of Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd of onlookers, came upon a funeral procession.   He was moved with compassion toward the deceased’s mother.  Two commands are given.  “Don’t cry.” and “Get up!”  The pallbearers stopped and the dead man sat up.  We’re not told it the woman stopped weeping but her mourning surely because joy. Death’s sting blunted, life recaptured from the grave. 

As I walk the streets of our neighborhood yesterday it this miracle was on my mind.  You see we….and you…are surrounded by death.  Of course every man and woman is destined to die but I’m not talking about our physical demise.  We’re surrounded by multitudes who have chosen the broad and easy path whose ultimate destination is eternal death.  Sobering isn’t it.  Yet there is a source of encouragement.  Among us there are Lazaruses and widow's sons just waiting for someone to say the words, “Get up!” and “Come forth!”  That’s our job.  May we never refrain from offering the life that comes through Jesus, from beckoning our neighbors enshrouded in death to get up and come forth into Life!