It certainly has been a while since the Lord has
dropped a word in my spirit until the point that I am severely agitated by
it. I’ve begun to miss those seasons of
research and writing at all hours of the day and night. I still write but not like I did in that
particular season.
This time He not only gave me a word but a name,
Lazarus. I thought of the many different
teachings I’ve heard on Lazarus over the past four years and what immediately
penetrated my thoughts was the idea that dead things can be brought back to
life. Sure they can but knowing that
didn’t help me appreciate why that name was bugging me so.
As I write now I reflect upon the story of Jesus raising
Lazarus from the dead. This very Lazarus
was noted as a man whom Jesus loved. He
loved him yet waited two days before He went to see after him- while he was severely
ill and, apparently, barely alive. Man,
that’s some kind of love. But I can
hardly blame Him. Lazarus lived in
Bethany and if the meaning of names are important, and they are, Bethany means
house of affliction. I also would have
tarried two days, just saying.
The story of this particular Lazarus, there are two mentioned
in the Bible, is preceded by one of my favorite stories about the
disciples. Didymus, or Thomas, was
having a particularly good day and was willing to die with Jesus. (John
11:16) Travel had already become
dangerous for Jesus in those days as the Jews sought to stone Him. Maybe it’s because
Didymus, called Thomas- doubting Thomas by some today, reminds me of myself. That’s another story though. Maybe it is this same story. Am I willing to die with Jesus? I take it we’re not talking baptism either. Clearly the Lord had much to say to me with
this name Lazarus.
Jesus walked at great risk of bodily harm, i.e. being
stoned, to see about someone that was already dead. Maybe there’s a better story behind the other
Lazarus. This Lazarus is an imaginary
person. If you dare to look up the word
Lazarus in Strong’s Greek Concordance you will eventually come to the word
kakos and you will find the long definition states: bad, evil, in the widest
sense. If you dare to read further (I
did) it states inner malice, inwardly foul, rotten, poisoned, figuratively
inner malice flowing out of a morally rotten character. For further flourish in
case I didn’t get the point it reads wickedness, inner evil. Naturally I began to think, “Lord, You and I are
having the wrong conversation.” Well? Let’s take a quick review. Jesus risked His life to resurrect a dead
man. Jesus gave His life to save me,
kakos. It rather sounds like that word
which refers to the dog business you scrape off your shoes if you step in
it. He and I were having one heavy
conversation!
Luke 16:19-25 There was a certain rich man, which was
clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there
was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table:
moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the
beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also
died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and
seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he
cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may
dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in
this flame. But Abraham said, Son,
remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Okay. So Lord I’m liking the direction this
conversation is now headed. You still
have my attention; go on. Wait, let me
make sure I’ve got this down so far.
Lazarus, the beggar, the one laid out at the gate full of sores looking
not for a buffet but crumbs, I’m sure he has no real friends save for the dogs
licking his wounds, but isn’t it like dirty dogs to lick you when you’re
down? This guy… Lazarus gets comforted
in the end. Not just comforted but
carried by angels into the bosom of Abraham?
That’s the word you gave me Lord, Lazarus? Go on. Do tell!
Also one of the definitions affiliated with Lazarus in
Strong’s Greek Concordance is the word parrésia: freedom, openness, especially
in speech: boldness, confidence. Browse
a little further and you’ll find unreservedness in speech, without concealment,
without ambiguity or circumlocution.
This I really needed to hear as lately I’ve been on the receiving end of
such.
Strong’s Greek Concordance also affiliates the word
deuro (dyoo’-ro) come, now, the present with Lazarus. Come here!
Jesus yelled for Lazarus to come out from the tomb. How very much like this Lazarus I had become;
I was very nearly spiritually dead. I
hadn’t noticed I was entombed and a stone had been rolled in front of my
purpose. Interesting word this name
Lazarus is.
Lazarus licked by dogs. Lazarus called forth from the tomb. Then there is me agitated by this word and
now Didymus called Thomas who was willing to die with Jesus. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he
that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25)
Jesus walked at risk to His life of great harm to
resurrect one who was already dead, by the time He arrived, six days. Is not that much like the life of a present
day disciple of Jesus Christ– dying to self, and through Jesus as enabled by
the power of the Holy Spirit, saving those who are blinded by the God of this
world, dead in their sins and very much like kakos? Am I willing to die with
Him? Well, there is this cross I take up
daily if that counts. Lazarus. Jesus loved a man named Lazarus from the
house of affliction. What a friend we
have in Jesus for real.
Back to Strong’s Greek Concordance and the word Lazarus. The
beauty of the word is shown in this definition, whom God helps. I’m significantly less agitated by the word
and find the comfort in it. I find the
peace of God in it. Lazarus, whom God
helps. What an awesome God! Know that
when Jesus yells for you to come out from the tomb, know that you, Lazarus are
whom God helps. And, yes, I will die
with Him.
If you read the
full story about Lazarus of Bethany when the chief priests found out he was
alive again they wanted to kill him! (John 12:9-11) How many folks are waiting
to pounce on you once Jesus yells for you to come out from the tomb? Those were
the chief priests back then. Today it
can be anybody. Really answer the call
and all hell will try to break loose. It
doesn’t stop you from being whom God helps, though, does it?
Father, God I praise you and thank you for raising me
up from my sleep called spiritual death that resurrected You will be glorifid. Thank You, Jesus, for not just risking your
life but giving your life to save me from the kakos I was and being perfected
in you. Thank you for freedom, openness and
boldness. Mostly I thank You right now
for yelling for me to come out from the tomb and allowing me to be whom God
helps. What a great and mighty God You are and a loving Jesus who befriends the
afflicted, calls them forth, gives them healing and rest. I am
in awe of You. Again I praise You and
thank You in the name of Jesus, amen.
