Christ’s Ambassador

It is my guess that Lazarus was the youngest of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the three being siblings. Martha, as could be seen from the account of Luke in chapter 11, and John chapter 12:1-3, was the energetic, hospitable and tireless worker who never ceased to joyfully minister to the humanity of Jesus. Mary was the worshipper per excellence. These two in the same house offered a complete ministration to Christ – the humanity and divinity.  Now there was also Lazarus.

Throughout, he remained at the background, content to be a footnote to the story of Martha and Mary. He never made any statement recorded and neither did he demonstrate any leadership traits in the male chauvinistic society of the Jews. Yet he had his own calling, the highest, if you permit me to say. Lazarus, like Isaac thousands of years before him, and like Jesus his family friend and Lord, had an excellent way of surrendering to the perfect will of God, even to death.

I believe Abraham had to explain to Isaac when they got to Mount Moriah. Something like; son, you know I love you so much and if I had my way, I would gladly take your place now, but it is the will of the Almighty God that you, my only son be offered to him as a burnt offering here on this mountain. That is why we have not brought any animal for our sacrifice. But he is able to raise you again to fulfill his promise of blessing the whole world through my descendants. I could imagine Isaac closing his eyes in shock, opening them again hoping it was a dream, and finally letting go of torrents of tears as he saw through his father’s tears that it was no joke. Then, in submission to the perfect will of God, he offered himself for Abraham to bind and lay on the altar they just finished building together. God was impressed with Abraham who had such faith and also imparted it on his son. God was impressed with Isaac too.

There was no such explanation to Lazarus. The omniscient God weighed his heart and knew that Lazarus could answer such a call as Isaac answered. God did not converse with satan as he did in the heavenly realm to prove the integrity of Job in the case of Lazarus. No it did not happen that way. God just knew that Lazarus had what it would take to bring glory to Him in one of the highest calls he could give those who believed in Jesus. So the sickness struck to start off a sequence of pains, anxiety, suffering, sorrow, disappointment, tears, shame, disgrace, and all one may go through in such society and at such a time as they were in. We must recall that the Jewish authorities had already read the riot act to all who would not relent in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah- such would be excommunicated from the synagogue.  Martha, Mary and Lazarus did not stop at recognizing Jesus as Messiah, their doors were always thrown wide opened for him to rest and teach. They were the unashamed of Jesus.

Martha and Mary must have prayed and prayed. And when they saw the sickness not yielding ground but instead their brother’s life became critically endangered, they took the last resort. They sent a message to Jesus.  Lord, this one requires your personal touch. Please come and heal your friend Lazarus or send the word, if you cannot come immediately.  This was their expectation as they sent the urgent message to Jesus. Well, the alpha and omega, the holy one who chose Lazarus for the assignment declared for the benefit of those who were within earshot” this sickness is not unto death, but an occurrence to glorify the name of God” And he delayed for two days. When he saw that Lazarus had died, he announced to his disciples and started the two day’s journey back to Bethany.

Something I like about the bible records is the truthful way it sets out events. The good aspects of heroes of faith have not been exaggerated and the bad have not been under-reported. Even when the men of God failed, we are told they failed. From this I believed that when Lazarus was at the point of death and Jesus had still not showed up, he accepted the situation calmly and in faith. I could imagine him holding his sisters hands and with the little strength remaining in him, saying “sisters…… I love you both…….when the Lord comes, tell him I love him too” I strongly believe that was his attitude as he gave up the ghost that day. There was neither bitterness nor hopelessness in his heart. Remember what the sister said to Jesus? “Yes, I believe we shall see him on resurrection day” That was Lazarus’s believe too as he died. He hoped to see Jesus on resurrection day. If it were not so, the Bible would have told us. If Lazarus had misgivings about answering this call, God would have had to use someone else. He loves a willing and cheerful giver. It is not only in material giving, but the principle also applies in the giving of time and hearts and even our life. God would not just accept a service we give with grumbles and complaints.

The purpose of God was soon revealed. The pains, anxiety, suffering, sorrow, disappointment, tears, shame, disgrace all turned to unspeakable joy when Lazarus, at the instance of Jesus’ call walked out of the grave life! The whole of Bethany was turned upside down. And God’s glory was that many more people believed in Jesus for Lazarus testimony was undeniable and that made the Jewish leaders more uncomfortable. They planned to do away with Lazarus also. What a way to serve God. Lazarus did not preach. He did not perform a miracle. But he put his faith in God, such a childlike faith.  His sufferings and that of the sisters was used of the Lord to populate the kingdom of God and plunder hell.

This story and such ones in the scriptures underscore the fact that believers are not immune from suffering. In fact, you will suffer for being a believer. When your friends start to show surprise that you no longer participate, in company with them, in the old wicked things, your suffering has started. However, you must not waste the priviledge by switching to self-pity. Be brave and trust God who makes all things to work for good for all who love him, whom he has called according to his great purpose. He knows the intensity of fire you can take.

Are you suffering for the sake of Christ? Why not turn to the expert in the call-to-suffering? Jesus Christ will lead you through it. Even if it should lead to the death of the body, it is written that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” I Thess 4:16 Jesus will call you out like Lazarus.

I don’t consider it a coincidence that Jesus used Lazarus’ name sake in his parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. There is something that moves God about the attitude and mindset of Lazarus. I believe many of us are robbing ourselves of the many jewels God intend to decorate our crowns with when we pray our ways out of certain ‘higher calls’. I believe there is a call to salvation. I believe there are calls to service. These are fundamental and most believers have no qualms about answering them. Now there are higher calls such as that answered by the man who was born blind, Isaac and Lazarus. God would not force you into this service and he doesn’t penalize you for not being in the brigade. But his rewards await those who are disposed to signing up.  He weighs the heart. He knows it when you are ready.