LAZARUS: DEAD TO THE WORLD

LAZARUS -- DEAD TO THE WORLD

Mary and Martha were sisters;

Their brother, Lazarus, was ill.

So they sent word to Jesus;

They knew He could heal with His will.

Jesus was in another town.

He purposely delayed.

He wanted God to be glorified,

So for two more days He stayed.

He bid his disciples to go to Judea.”

Among His orders, this one was stranger.

They balked at that idea,

For Jesus would be in much danger.

The disciples argued with Him,

“Lazarus is just sick in bed.”

So Jesus told them plainly,

“Lazarus is dead.”

Thomas spoke of Jesus to the others,

“Let’s go die with Him”

Thomas is called a doubter,

But he put himself out on a limb.

By the time they arrived in Judea,

Lazarus was four days in decay.

Many mourners had gathered around,

The tomb where Lazarus lay.

Martha ran out to meet Jesus;

Mary stayed home and cried.

Martha said, “If you had been here,

My brother would not have died.”

Martha’s faith had not wavered,

Though she wondered about His next task.

She said, “I know even now,

God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said, “He will rise again.”

But Martha misunderstood.

She thought Jesus meant the Last Day,

So, of course, she knew he would.

Martha went and got Mary,

Who fell at His feet and said,

“If only you had been here,

My brother would not be dead.”

Jesus was deeply moved;

In fact, Jesus wept.

He ordered the stone be rolled away,

From the tomb where the body was kept.

When the stone was rolled away,

Christ prayed and gave a shout.

God’s glory was shone with His words:

“LAZARUS, COME OUT!”

A living man walked from the tomb

Wrapped in linens and a shroud.

God indeed was glorified,

For the miracle had drawn a crowd.

The Pharisees were angry.

“People trust in Him,” they said.

They feared the loss of prestige and power,

So they wanted Jesus dead.

Christ could not move freely about;

His death was surely fated.

The disciples and He went to a town,

Where for the Passover they waited.

Never give up hope,

Though you think you lost your soul.

Your heart may be in decay,

But Christ can make you whole.

Becky Wall