Lazarus, Come Forth

Martha dipped the cloth in cool water and bathed her brother’s face . . . again. His fever continued to rage out of control. He seemed to be getting worse each passing hour.

She prayed. And prayed. And prayed. But God didn’t seem to be listening.

Where was Jesus? Just the day before, Martha sent Jesus a message telling him that Lazarus was sick. Jesus was a friend to all of them. When Jesus arrived, He would heal Lazarus.

As she paced her small home, every few minutes Martha looked out the door. Each time she expected to see Jesus coming down the narrow street. Her heart sank every time the street was empty.

Martha and her sister, Mary, sat by Lazarus all through the night. And they prayed. And prayed. And prayed. They watched him closely as they bathed his face, hoping for some small change for the better. Tears slid down Martha’s cheek as she tried to make Lazarus more comfortable. She paced, and wept, and prayed.

The sisters watched in horror as Lazarus’s breath grew more and more shallow.

Every few minutes, Martha murmured, “Where is Jesus?”

“He will be here soon,” Mary replied.

The hours of the night crept by slowly as the sisters held the hands of their brother. In silence, they watched his chest for the next breath.

Then it happened. Lazarus didn’t breathe in again. They stared at him, then looked up at each other. Their precious brother was dead.

The reality of the situation hit them. In disbelieve they wondered:

 Where was Jesus?

Why had Jesus allowed Lazarus to die?

Martha and Mary moved through the necessary arrangements in stunned grief. Lazarus was dead and placed in the tomb. Friends and family stayed with them.  

At last, Martha heard that Jesus would be there soon. He was four days too late. Martha left the crowd of mourners and walked down the road to meet Him. She lifted her tear stained face to Jesus.

“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You,” said Martha.

She knew Jesus was the Son of God. He could have prevented the death of her brother. She knew her Lord had raised two people from the dead. (Luke 7:12-15, Luke 8:49-56) But they had not been in a tomb for four days. Could she dare to hope that Jesus would give life back to her brother?

“Your brother shall rise again,” said Jesus.

“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day,” she said.

“I am the resurrection of and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? asked Jesus.

“Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, and Son of God, even he who comes into the world,” said Martha.

Next, Jesus spoke with Mary. Then made their way to the tomb. The mourners followed.

“Remove the stone,” commanded Jesus.

“Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days,” said Martha.

“Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” asked Jesus.

A spark of hope began in Martha’s heart. Men struggled to remove the stone covering the tomb where the body of her sweet brother lay in the dark. Martha turned toward Jesus. He turned His eyes toward heaven.

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me,” said Jesus.

“Lazarus, come forth.” Jesus called out loud.

Martha eyes were transfixed on the opening of the tomb. Somehow the shrouded figure of her brother appeared at the door. Could it be? Could Lazarus be alive?

“Unbind him and let him go,” ordered Jesus.

Martha and Mary reached Lazarus first. They were crying and praising God and snatching the wrappings off of their brother all at the same time. It was a miracle. Lazarus was alive.

None of them would ever be the same again.

Carla Killough McClafferty