He Who Was Dead Is Alive!
Remember at the time of Yeshua (Jesus), no televisions, no phones, and no automobiles nor trains nor planes existed. Horses and people were for purposed travel [calvary on horses, couriers on foot or horsees, deliveries, travel] or for pulling carriages or wagons, donkeys and oxen were beasts of burden [carrying large loads merchandise and food] and camels for caravan transportation of people and things across desert miles. Physical transport of messages took hours, days, weeks or even months or more to reach their destination depending on the miles, weather, and routes between the sender and the receiver. No one had internet, cell phones, text messages or the like. Yet, Jesus was able instantly to Hear What His Father Said to Speak and to See What His Father Willed Him to Do.
In the Book of JOHN, chapter 11, we read about Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary. Jesus fled Judaea with His Disciples because His Life was threatened by those who despised His Teaching. Settled away from Judea, Jesus received a message from Martha and Mary: their brother Lazarus was ill. This message asking Him to return to Judea was received no sooner than a day or more after it was sent.
Here is His Response to the message requesting Jesus to Come to Lazarus:
“But when Jesus Heard it, He Said, ‘This sickness is not to death, but for the Glory of GOD, that GOD’s Son May Be Glorified by it.’ ” (JOHN 11:4.World English BIBLE (WEB). [Public Domain]).
Then, Jesus waited two days before telling His disciples, “Let’s go into Judea again.”
The reaction was prompt, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone You. Are You Going there again?” (verses 7 & 8).
Jesus Replied with an analogy that a man walking in the Light does not stumble.
He told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I Am Going so that I May Awake him out of sleep.” (verse 11).
Said the disciples “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” (verse 12)
Jesus made it clear, “Lazarus is dead.” (verse 14)
Still known as “Doubting Thomas,” Thomas Didymus said, “Let’s also go that we may die with him.” (verse 16)
Scripture Snap
Though His Disciples abode with Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), traveled where He led, and sat under His Continual Tutelage, they had varying levels of comprehension about Who He Was.
Four things are comical in this passage:
1. The disciples did not want to go back to Judaea to be killed by the means they had just fled.
Wait a minute! Not I! Don’t You Remember they want to kill us!
I’m happy to stay alive right here. One escape is enough for me, thank you!
2. The disciples were glad to hear Lazarus was asleep.
Right, see? Then, we don’t need to be going there just yet!
Lazarus is sleeping. He will recover.
3. Jesus Was blunt, not sharp or angry, just Clear.
Hey, Guys, Dead! Lazarus is dead! Hello?! Dead!
4. Being totally human, Thomas Didymus was sarcastic.
Oh, yeah, let’s go get ourselves killed in Judaea so we can be dead, too!
Me, first, please!
How often do we argue with GOD.
How quickly we forget or doubt His Authority and His Power.
Yet, He Loves us! Yet, He Died for us! Yet, His TenderMercies Are New every morning!
Great Is His FAITHfulness!