[167]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LAZARUS IS DEAD – BUT ALIVE
Here we have a short poem based on the story in John 11 that happened at Bethany. I don’t think there is anything profound in the poem. It is a factual account of the raising of Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha.
{{John 11:43-44 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “LAZARUS, COME FORTH.” He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”}}
I certainly don’t intend addressing a complex issue that is out there. That pertains to where Lazarus was for the 4 days he was dead. In the poem I did say, “From Paradise was called – to his old home restored.” That may or may not be true. It is true that all departed righteous souls went to Paradise to Abraham’s bosom, until the ascension. However, what about Lazarus?
Some think, though he was dead, he was in a sort of suspended state, not in Paradise, but in a state of unconsciousness like you are under anaesthetic in an operation. I won’t enter into any of that. Lazarus was fully dead and was made fully alive.
He was almost unique here along with just a few others – fully alive; fully dead; fully alive; fully dead; fully alive with the Lord in heaven.
{{2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND TO BE AT HOME WITH THE LORD.”}}
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LAZARUS IS DEAD – BUT ALIVE
Low in the grace he lay, Lazarus their brother;
For him the Saviour came; not for any other;
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Content he waited there in bliss and happiness.
He could not envisage that day of cheerfulness.
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Then a command was heard: “You, Lazarus, come out!”
A summons so direct; a body-shaking shout.
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Impelled, he stood upright; body and spirit unite;
He walked towards the voice; towards the outside light.
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From life to death to life; in Christ, death is outlawed!
From Paradise was called – to his old home restored.
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He rose in victory, removed from death’s dark claim.
What power in that voice that called him by his name.
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Lazarus suggests this – one day Jesus will raise
Each child of His asleep; they on His face will gaze.
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Resurrection and life belong to God alone.
We will rise from the dead to worship ‘round His throne.
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R E Ferguson 12 December 2020 12-12 (6-6-6-6)