Lazarus (Death and Rise)

In the 11th chapter of the Book of John written the shortest verse I have ever encountered in my reading of the bible so far. This may sound to be a good trivia I may tell everyone, yet behind this is a bigger story of compassion, power and faith.

My blog is not about the shortest verse in the bible or the longest or any other trivia I discovered. There is more important thing I prefer to discuss here than to look and explore on petty details. But then again, why don’t we start this discussion with that trivia I’ve been talking about: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35.

The small verse captured my deepest thinking, even the Lord wept. This is a wonderful picture of His care to His people’s sorrow. Yes, Jesus is ever compassionate. The weeping of Jesus in here is due to the death of someone close to His heart Lazarus, and to the mourning of the sisters Martha and Mary after the incident. Though Jesus knew that Lazarus would rise again from the dead, He still expressly shown His care through outward emotion. He is so compassionate and knows to share with our sorrow.

From compassion, let me bring this discussion to something even bigger: out of compassion Jesus revealed His power over death. Seeing how people lament the death of Lazarus, He went to the grave and miraculously let the latter live again. Our Lord conquered even the death. And as He has promised, in Him no one will ever die (John 11: 25). In him there’ll be no hunger and thirst as He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

Bringing back to the previous scene, Jesus delayed two more days before He went to Bethany. He already knew that Lazarus has to die and so purposefully, He could be able to perform wonders and so many may believe and bring glory to him. In this third point, what the story points out is the attitude to wait and be still. Know God and even in delay, trust. The Lord is just molding something so great that He lets trials go along the way.

The Book of John, similar to that of Mark, is another story of miracles and faith that Jesus demonstrated during the time He was in here. Again, in my quest to know more of Jesus, this book had been an excellent sustenance that fills my longing to seek His face. Little by little, it is becoming clear. Truly, reading God’s Words bridges real and strong relationship with Him. The more one can decipher how great the love of the Lord is to the world.

Enjoy the word! Enjoy His love! Enjoy longing for His presence…