A STORY OF LAZARUS
A STORY OF LAZARUS
Sunday, October 31, 2015, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
On occasion I happen across a story too delightful not to retell. Unless the Lord speaks to me, I am careful to not inject conjecture where Scripture has thrown no light. Yet this story as retold by John Ross MacDuff in 1868 and by Theophylact in the 7th century in his teachings on the Book of John quickened my Spirit with joy. I asked the Lord for permission to tell the story not as the infallible Word of God, but as an interesting ray of light on one of the strangest episodes recorded in connection with our Lord’s last sufferings.
Let us begin at the beginning. Matthew 21:17:
“He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany and He lodged there.”
There can be no conjecture regarding this once loved home in Bethany where Jesus chose many times as a place of rest and refreshing. On the hills and mountains of Galilee, we know Jesus as the Son of God holding fellowship with His Father; here in Bethany, we see Him as the Son of man enjoying sympathetic fellowship with loving friends.
The village of Bethany lies on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives a mile from the summit. The Mount of Olives was well trodden by Jesus’ footsteps and sanctified by His presence. O blissful Home! O honored Home on the Mount.
If the cup of cold water given to a prophet shall not lose its reward; ---what shall be the reward of that loving and beloved family, whose sympathy and kindness served to ease the burdens of “the Man of sorrows,” and brighten his path.
Again it is without any stretching of the Word of God, we can conclude this Family occupied a position of some wealth and influence. In John 11:1b: “…Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” The ointment (Jn. 11:2) which Mary anointed the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair was very costly.
John 11:2: “(It was Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick).
(It is my persuasion that the anointing by the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7) is a separate incident from the anointing by Mary).
On the death of Lazarus, Jews of distinction came out to offer their condolence to the bereaved. From the expression used, it is evident these Jewish visitors were composed of the Scribes and Pharisees, representatives of the intelligent “upper classes” in Jerusalem.
“The town of Mary and her sister Martha” would imply their dwelling was distinguished amid the lowlier ones that surrounded it.
Jesus was “no respecter of persons”, but he was guest and associate alike of rich and poor, lowly and honorable.
In the case of every human family where Christ is loved, and where He is a daily Visitor—it is beautiful to note, a gradual education and training---a progressive development in the Christian graces and spiritual character within the family.
My story today focuses on Lazarus. However, first let us transfer to another dweller in Bethany, of whom we know little---indeed nothing;---whose history at best must be subject to conjecture---him in whose house the Sabbath Feast took place, and who is called by Matthew and Mark, “Simon the Leper”. The likeliest conjecture regards him as the father of the family (Theophylact and others). If this is true, then the Divine Restorer who had plucked his son from death has rescued him from a worse than living death---cured him of a disease which by human means was incurable. He makes a feast for his Divine Physician. If he still had leprosy, he would not have been allowed to eat or fellowship with anyone.
This brings us to the one other member of that rejoicing household, Lazarus. It is remarkable in the narratives of John no light whatever is cast upon his character. We seem to know his sisters intimately, by their marked individuality; but Lazarus is shadowy---undefined. We are acquainted with him only as their brother, probably the youngest of the household.
Concerning Lazarus, there is an interesting conjecture by many on one of the strangest episodes recorded in connection with our Lord’s arrest in Gethsemane. The incident is only preserved in Mark’s gospel.
At that awful crisis hour when the struggle of Gethsemane was over, ---when the band of soldiers, with lanterns and torches came with the traitor, Judas to meet Jesus, the panic-stricken disciples were scattered on the mountainsides. The Shepherd was about to be smitten, and the faithless sheep were scattered. At that moment the Passover moon and the light of the lanterns and torches fell on a mysterious figure lurking close by.
He was a youth. He had nothing round his naked body but “a white linen cloth.” (Mark 14: 51-52). He followed the assassin band. Who can this be? The old and tried companions of the Sufferer have fled. Peter with his brave soul,---John with his loving heart, have both shared in the general panic; but this one young man dares to brave those flashing swords and threatening knives. The Word of God says that he was immediately seized. The soldiers grasp the linen cloth which covered him; but he escaped---“He left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.”
We read in the immediate sequel to the narrative of raising Lazarus from the dead, and the feast of Bethany, “The chief priests consulted that they might also put Lazarus to death, because of his testimony many of the Jews believed on Jesus.” (Jn. 12:10)
In the context of Luke’s Gospel, it is expressly said, that it was the chief priests in conjunction with the scribes and elders, who sent out the assassin band to arrest Jesus.
Would it not be likely that when Lazarus heard of the raid, that he would instantly rush in hopes of attempting a rescue? I will not push such a hypothesis too far. I trust the inspired writers of the Holy Scriptures to give us only the information we need to preach the uncompromised Word of God.
But there is one key having to do with the strange costume of this mysterious follower of Christ---the linen cloth cast round his body in the haste and hurry of that midnight arousing.
The word for “linen cloth” as rendered by Mark “sindon” is used to wrap the dead. It is not the same word at all, as is used in other places, with reference to linen garments as clothing for the living.
The linen shroud in Lazarus’ case would be a trophy of the most wondrous victory ever achieved.
Can we dare venture, then the hypothesis---still further to strengthen the conjecture of our story that when roused from the dead of night by the news of the assault in Gethsemane, he seized in haste the suspended robe of which the King of Terrors had been defeated?
Thus we see, dimly shadowed the illustration of that faith which works by love, which purifies the heart and overcomes the world:---in the case of Martha make the life of bustle, and unrest, fretting and care, merge into rest. In the case of Mary making the life of simple, childlike devotion an act of holiness; and in the case of Simon and Lazarus expressing each in their own way their gratitude and joy.
For both Simon and Lazarus, He had “taken off their sackcloth and girded them with gladness.” Sickness in the one and death in the other had been “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified.” (Jn. 11:4)
I believe that we have received the life of the Death Conqueror and live in a present life eternal which will never die. (Jn. 11: 25-26). We shall never cease to live. What we call death is a mere suspension of the bodily organism. “Whosoever lives and believes on me shall never die. Believe thou this?”(Jn. 11:26)
The Word of God says that as Jesus walked to Lazarus’ tomb, he was groaning in His Spirit. I choose to believe that was Jesus groaning in prayer as He went to battle with the spirit of death.
Jesus Christ has raised us from the death of sin into eternal life. Christian let us live in grateful joy, living and loving in the fullness of Christ.
Let us bring him our pound of spikenard, ---our linen covering (whatever we have) as an offering of grateful love. Through his Blood, death and propitiation, we being clothed shall not be found naked. The tomb is empty. The shroud and grave-clothes are “laid by themselves” (Lk. 24:12) on the rocky floor.
The voice of victory is heard, “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. If so being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” (2 Cor. 5:2-4).
Post Script: (As I researched elements of this story using my sources from the 7th Century A.D. and 1868, I discovered that in the 17th century there was a blasphemous version of this story written known as the Secret Gospel of Mark. In no way does this story as I have presented it align with that blasphemy. As with all mysteries of the Bible, demented people will always try to distort the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This story was presented by John Ross MacDuff. All honor, glory and power was given to Jesus as the Holy Son of God. I have paraphrased Rev. MacDuff’s interpretation staying circumspect with the Word of God.
I asked the Lord’s permission to tell the story because I believe it is beautiful and insightful. All is done to glory the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Word.
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) does not support this interpretation remarks “Some young man that lived near the Garden, perhaps in the house to which the Garden belonged.”
Dake recognizes the young man could be Lazarus. He also affirms the “sindon” was a linen cloth with which the dead were buried or people wore as a robe at night--- further stating that all speculation is valueless.
Stephen S. Short (International Bible Commentary) “no hint is given of the identity of the young man mentioned in verses 51 and 52. Because of that, and of the fact that this appears on the surface such a trivial and pointless episode to relate in the middle of such a solemn story, it has been plausibly suggested that Mark is here placing on record how he personally figured in this scene.”)
I believe that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16).
I was blessed by this story as presented by Rev. MacDuff and pray you will receive it in the spirit in which it is intended.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V.