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Silent and unproductive

Jerry Raaf

The Bible contains many interesting stories which teach us profound lessons. Many of the main characters in these true stories exhibit strength and conviction, while others portray a lack of integrity, cowardice and numerous common human failings.

One person who has been a disappointment to me is Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus was a frequent guest in their home, and during those visits there were many opportunities for Lazarus to listen, learn, question and converse with Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead before many witnesses (John 11:1-46).

Now, visiting with Jesus is one thing, but experiencing a miracle, actually walking out of a tomb wearing grave clothes, is something that is hard to forget. Imagine finding yourself walking out of the cemetery after you had been pronounced dead and been buried. Is it not likely that your life would be altered in some way by that momentous event? Yet, the Bible never records anything said or accomplished by Lazarus from that time on. It would seem to me that he must have said something and that he was, in all likelihood, questioned extensively by others after the grave clothes had been removed.

Perhaps I am being too hard on Lazarus. On the other hand, maybe there are modern day Lazaruses in our churches. Like him, these people have been raised in homes where Jesus has been a guest for many years. Some may have attended meetings where miracles, healings and deliverance from bondage have taken place. Perhaps Jesus has, at some time, even raised them from a spiritually dead condition. But they have never said or done anything differently to show that Jesus has raised them up.

Being “spiritually raised from the dead” is a miracle worth talking about. Being delivered from the bondage of “grave clothes” should be a life-changing experience. Why is it nothing is ever said or accomplished by many of those receiving this wonderful gift of new life?

Jerry Raaf lives in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified January 30, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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