The Resurrection and the Life

He had received the message

That his good friend was very sick,

His informant was abundantly clear

And expected his response to be quick.

Instead he delayed his arrival

By as many as two long days

Causing much worry and consternation

By such a lengthy delay.

Maybe he wasn’t a true friend

Or perhaps he really didn’t care

That his friend was near to death

And that there were many who feared?

But this could never be so

For later at the tomb he wept

Showing his understanding of sorrow

Was far greater than human depth.

Then why would he deliberately delay

And put off helping his friend

Even though he definitely knew

That his friend was nearing the end?

Well as expected it happened

That his friend did pass away

And no doubt the people that mourned

Had quite a lot to say.

A sister of the deceased opined

In the midst of her cries and sighs

That if only he had been present

Their brother would not have died.

Earlier he had assured them

This sickness was not unto death

But it appeared that he had erred

For his friend did take his final breath.

And what is this peculiarity

That his friend was only sleeping

When he knew that he had died?

Isn’t that considered misleading?

Eventually he told them plainly

That his friend was really dead

And that he was glad for their sake.

How their hearts must have bled!

Bethany was not far from Jerusalem

Where they plotted to kill the Master

So Thomas was ready to go with him

And face the impending disaster.

Well by the time that he had arrived

His friend had been dead four days,

“By now he stinketh,” Martha said,

No doubt recalling his delay.

“Your brother will rise again,”

He had explicitly said to her

But she was thinking of that last day

When from the dead all believers shall stir

They knew he could do miracles

Like opening the eyes of the blind

But could he also raise his friend

Who to death had long resigned?

He had admonished them before

That if only they would believe

They would see the glory of God

But this they could not perceive.

“Take away the stone,” he said

And reluctantly they did

To expose the cavern of death

Where his friend was securely hid.

As he had stood before the tomb

He had lifted up his eyes

In a prayer of sincere thanksgiving

To his father beyond the skies.

He was confident in his prayer

And in God his Father also

But said it for the many people

That his purpose they might know.

“Lazarus, come forth!”

With a loud voice he had spoken

And immediately on speaking

The bands of death were broken.

He came forth in his grave clothes

The evidence of his burial

Proving in the presence of the Master

That the grave is not his rival

“Loose him and let him go,”

Was his authoritative instruction,

No doubt they rushed to free him

In preparation for celebration.

“I am the resurrection and the life,”

Jesus had clearly said

So that the deceased who believed in him

Will one day be raised from the dead.

“And he that lives and believes in me

Shall never die.

“Do you believe this?” his question is to us

Or such truth will you forever deny?

Like Martha our response should be

Lord I believe your word

You are the Christ, the Son of God

That truly did come into this world.

Stewart Russell © 2017