Dead Man Walking

A large crowd had gathered that day. Some were there to mourn, and some came because they were curious as to see if anything out of the ordinary was going to happen. The gathering place, strangely enough, was near a cave where a dead man had been entombed for four days. There was a man there who came with the two sister of the deceased man to the cave. It was quite an emotional time for all three of them. This man, Jesus, said to a group of men, “Take away the stone that seals the tomb.”  What a strange request. Even the sisters were surprised because they like everyone else knew that their brother, Lazarus, had been in the tomb long enough that his body had begun to decay and the smell would have been awful.

Sternly, but with great passion Jesus said, “Did I not tell you both that if you believe you will see a glorious act of God? You will see his glory if you believe.” When the men removed the stone Jesus loudly cried out, “Lazarus, come!” Everyone’s eyes were focused on the entrance of the cave. Some who had see what Jesus had done before believe this dead man would appear. Others, no doubt, knew that once a person dies he will stay dead. They naturally saw the folly of the one called Jesus. But to their amazement Lazarus did indeed appear at the entrance of the cave. This dead man came walking right out of of his tomb. There must have been a hush among the crowd and then a shout of joy. A brother, a friend, a neighbor who truly had been dead was now alive.

After his grave clothes were removed, Lazarus was reunited with his sisters. They embraced, and Mary’s and Martha’s grieving tears were now tears of joy. The one, Jesus, the Son of Man, “was and is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in him will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in him  will never die.” The sister’s believed and were with their brother once again.

We have the same promise from Jesus. If we believe in him although we die we will live again. In the name of Jesus, one day when he returns, he will shout, “Come forth! Whoever has believed in him having received his resurrection power, will rise to live forever. Sisters will see their brother, parents and their children will be reunited, and friends will be with friends. All of us who loved Jesus and believed in him will live again forever in heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ.