Lazarus Revisited

01/23/07 | vanity

[genefromjersey]

Lazarus Revisited

Devout Christians believe Jesus of Nazareth raised Lazarus - brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany - from the grave – four days after his death and burial.

One pious tradition has it that Lazarus subsequently wandered with a small band of early Christian followers to Marseilles, became the first Bishop of Provence, and was martyred by the Romans. Others say he remained in the holy land, lived a quiet and examplary life, and was buried as a saint in Constantinople.

Ah, but “Biblical people” were real people : motivated by the same petty things we are – all these centuries later !

I can imagine , when the stone was rolled away and Lazurus of Bethany stepped forth upon command – still wrapped in burial rags, “with a napkin upon his face” , there was someone – perhaps a relative – in the crowd who muttered : “ Some Messiah ! You’d think he would at least be wearing a decent suit of clothes !”

And when he walked forward to embrace his weeping sisters, there was probably someone else who nudged a neighbor and said: “Look: he’s limping ! I don’t remember him having a limp before they buried him, do you ?”

We are told Lazarus later attended a small banquet, given by Simon the Leper , Mary and Martha of Bethany, and a few other close friends – notably Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples.

It wouldn’t surprise me to learn somebody commented on Lazarus’ slowness of speech, or remarked on his sparse appetite, or his pallor : suggesting the miracle of his resurrection was “defective” in some way. I can well imagine somebody nudging a family member and whispering: “ I’d hire a good Pharissee to look into this if I were you !”

There might have been a” strict constructionist” in the crowd , who wondered if resurrection from the dead was permitted under Mosaic Law . Perhaps there was a proto-liberal to opine Lazarus’ death might have been prevented altogether if a decent community-based healthcare plan had been in effect…

In point of fact, according to the Gospels, quite a few people – confronted with the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection – marched off to the Pharissees to lodge complaints : a circumstance that ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus - that “upstart Nazarene”.

I’ve taken a lot of speculative liberties here – (Some might suggest I’m bordering on blasphemy ) - in order to get my point across : We not only take miracles for granted; we then look around and whine : “Is that all there is ? “ - or even worse : “What have You done for me lately ? “

[frogjerk]

We not only take miracles for granted; we then look around and whine : “Is that all there is ? “ - or even worse : “What have You done for me lately ? “

Amen. Be grateful for what you have and recognize God's greatness.

[blue-duncan]

You forgot the little kid who said, "Boy, someone stinks in this place."