I can hear Lazarus speaking and I'm quivering with awe and anticipation. Just a week ago the whole village was saddened by his death. Now he is reverently conducting the Guest of honour to the chief place at this celebration dinner of thanksgiving. They have outdone themselves in an outpouring of love with a lavish spread of delicious food and rare delicacies. But we all find it difficult to give attention to the meal. We want to listen to Lazarus. He was stone-cold dead; now he is smiling a welcome to the guests, he is vibrantly alive, bursting with health. He has been to Paradise and back. His sisters are beaming at him and when they look at Jesus there is tangible love and gratitude on their faces. What wonders will he recount, what amazing disclosures of the angels' activities, what questions answered for him by Old Testament saints? I'm almost exploding with excitement at this unrivaled opportunity to hear what human ears have never heard. But strangely, surprisingly, Lazarus has little to say. I'm startled to observe that questions addressed to Jesus are the biggest part of his conversation.
As I listen to the amazing words of Jesus of Nazareth, my curiosity about Lazarus is changed to admiration and adoration of Jesus. I hear Him assure Lazarus that his return to Planet Earth is temporary but the next time he goes to Paradise it will be even better because Jesus will be there waiting for him and this time it will be forever. My heart twists in pain as Jesus goes on to tell of His own impending death; that as the sin-bearing Lamb of God, His poured-out Blood will purchase the destruction of death and the permanent restoration of Paradise.
How could anyone ever have thought that Lazarus was the focal point at this table ... this table where we sit with the Resurrection and the Life Himself? As I drink in His Words, His wonderful, life-giving Words, I realize that I have no reason to envy Lazarus. The Lord turns toward me and sweetly ... graciously ...lovingly... personally, reminds me that I, too, have been raised from death, a death that would have been eternal, into a joyous sharing of the very life of God. It is a victorious, overcoming, abundant life, a quality of life never known before Calvary. I, too, have His guarantee of a permanent residence in Paradise along with His promise that He will be there waiting for me too.
Suddenly we are entranced by a marvellous fragrance which is filling the room. No wonder Mary's bursting heart must erupt in an expression of poured-out treasure. She is so engrossed with Jesus that she doesn't even notice me kneeling beside her to pour out my tears and the love of my heart at the feet of my glorious Saviour.
