Lazarus Raised from the Dead

John 12:11 "So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus, because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him."
Lazarus never did anything famous we know of; he was known for what Jesus did for him, i.e. raising him from the dead.  And he is known for his sisters, Mary and Martha, two women well-remembered for worship and work, respectively. Lazarus, himself, never weighed in on the virtues of worship and work.

Yet Lazarus is famous, more famous than the many other sick people healed by Jesus. Apparently he had a notoriety in the greater Jerusalem area that moved the high priests to plan his murder. He was known as the man Jesus raised from the dead.

For someone who came back from the dead, Lazarus had nothing quotable to report. The Gospel only notes that "Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him [Jesus]." Yet it was his sister Mary who stole the moment by using the expensive perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus. Lazarus does nothing more than "host" the occasion.

Yet being speechless could be the most fitting response to receiving the ultimate gift from Jesus. John,  the "disciple who Jesus loved," is seldom quoted in the Gospel. Instead he goes down in history for what Jesus did for him, i.e. loved him.  Nothing about how he turned that love into a productive career. How do you begin to repay unmerited love? With worthy actions? How do you repay the gift of a second life? With a better use of your time? With an impressive resume of helpful service later in life?

Becoming the target of a religious/ political "hit" is more than enough fame for most people.  You have become a symbol of God's power and grace through Jesus.  That is a heavy, but worthy burden to carry. We don't know if Lazarus had to dodge any bullets, but I suspect he knew his new life was a gift, and he accepted his mortality, even vulnerability to attack.

To be famous, like Lazarus and John, for what Jesus has done for me has not been my goal. How would it look on my business card or my tombstone?

William Tucker

Heart softened by Jesus

That could work.