It's a story that would definitely make national and international news: "man dead four days lives again". The press would scramble for interviews, and high on the list of questions would be, "what happened when you died?" But, we're getting ahead of the story ...
John's Gospel, chapter eleven, regards the death of a man named Lazarus. Word was sent to Jesus when Lazarus fell terminally ill (John 11.3), but Jesus deliberately delayed his arrival. In advance of receiving word of his death, Jesus informs His disciples of Lazarus' impending fate: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." (John 11.11) Jesus' definitive statement regarding death and Lazarus' fate is misunderstood: "The disciples then said to Him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' " (John 11.12) Both Jesus and John, the gospel writer, provide vital insight: "Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead' " (John 11.13-14)
Arriving on the scene, Jesus encounters grieving sisters and a crowd of mourners. Taken to the grave site, Jesus orders the protective stone to the burial cave removed. Following a prayer to His Father for the sake of the gathered audience, He then loudly commands, "Lazarus, come forth." (John 11.43) What follows is nothing short of miraculous and electrifying: "The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.' " (John 11.44)
The story essentially ends here, but we can speculate that questions and interest must have abounded concerning Lazarus' death experience. And that's where the absence of information speaks volumes. There is not one word anywhere concerning his reunion with relatives and friends. Or the bliss of heavenly existence. Fact is, he probably had a difficult time reconciling four missing days from his memory, much like someone emerging from a coma. Lazarus had been dead; stone-cold out of it - devoid of memory and feelings.
Understanding that death really is death, and not another form of existence, helps this important truth to shine brightly: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?' " (John 11.25-26). Resurrection will be an event, but it is under the jurisdiction of an individual - Jesus, God's Son. "Do you believe this?" It's a personal question only you can answer. As has been said, "live once; die twice. Live twice; die once". Be born again and live again in this age, and the second death can be avoided.
Have you been born again, and are you living in the Spirit as a born-again believer? Your answers to these questions have the greatest bearing on your fate.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
John's Gospel, chapter eleven, regards the death of a man named Lazarus. Word was sent to Jesus when Lazarus fell terminally ill (John 11.3), but Jesus deliberately delayed his arrival. In advance of receiving word of his death, Jesus informs His disciples of Lazarus' impending fate: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." (John 11.11) Jesus' definitive statement regarding death and Lazarus' fate is misunderstood: "The disciples then said to Him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' " (John 11.12) Both Jesus and John, the gospel writer, provide vital insight: "Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead' " (John 11.13-14)
Arriving on the scene, Jesus encounters grieving sisters and a crowd of mourners. Taken to the grave site, Jesus orders the protective stone to the burial cave removed. Following a prayer to His Father for the sake of the gathered audience, He then loudly commands, "Lazarus, come forth." (John 11.43) What follows is nothing short of miraculous and electrifying: "The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.' " (John 11.44)
The story essentially ends here, but we can speculate that questions and interest must have abounded concerning Lazarus' death experience. And that's where the absence of information speaks volumes. There is not one word anywhere concerning his reunion with relatives and friends. Or the bliss of heavenly existence. Fact is, he probably had a difficult time reconciling four missing days from his memory, much like someone emerging from a coma. Lazarus had been dead; stone-cold out of it - devoid of memory and feelings.
Understanding that death really is death, and not another form of existence, helps this important truth to shine brightly: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?' " (John 11.25-26). Resurrection will be an event, but it is under the jurisdiction of an individual - Jesus, God's Son. "Do you believe this?" It's a personal question only you can answer. As has been said, "live once; die twice. Live twice; die once". Be born again and live again in this age, and the second death can be avoided.
Have you been born again, and are you living in the Spirit as a born-again believer? Your answers to these questions have the greatest bearing on your fate.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 7:49 AM
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