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The Dead Man

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John 11:44 "The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

This verse is from the Lazarus story. You've probably read or heard it a dozen times or more.  Did you notice during any of those readings that Lazarus was called "the dead man"?  I didn't.  This was in the Upper Room devotional dated May 30, 2010, that I read today. (yes, I was behind on my reading.) The story used is the story of Lazarus. It was used to describe Jesus' compassion.  Verse 35 says, "Jesus wept."  The devotion is very good so you might want to read it at the link above.

The spark for me today was "the dead man". Lazarus was no longer dead. Jesus has raised him from the dead, but the Gospel writer called him a dead man. I wonder if Jesus cried because Lazarus wasn't able to be in heaven yet because he was raised.  I wonder if having been dead and now walking around posed some problems for Lazarus and his sisters.  Was he now a sight to be seen by throngs of people? Was his new nickname Dead Man?  ("Hey, Dead Man!! What ya doin?") Was the family subject to ridicule because they bothered Jesus, or because they have a dead person living with them, or any number of other stupid things that cause people to look down on others. Or up?  Was Lazarus now someone to be praised by those wanting their loved ones raised?  Who knows. The story leaves us there. 

One thing is for certain.  Lazarus had been dead.  He was no longer in the same condition he was in (dead).  After Jesus called him, he walked right out of the grave.  The dead man was walking.  Amazing.  And isn't that what we all are/were?  Dead, until Jesus raises us?

Thank you, Jesus, for your compassion and for your awesome command over everything, even death.  Amen.
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  1. ToesJune 3, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    Ok, Lazarus has now been dead for several days. What happened to his soul during this time? Was this all pre-planned and his soul stayed with the body? Hung out in the cave? Did it go to heaven and touch the face of God only to be sent back to earth? Perhaps it didn't and after he was risen he lived out the rest of his life without a soul.

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  2. Sherri HardingJune 3, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    does anyone have a comment about Toes' comment?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 4, 2010 at 7:46 AM

    Maybe his soul was in Paradise. Jesus told the thief on the cross next to him "today you will be in Paradise with me." Is Paradise Heaven? Maybe...maybe not. Is Paradise a stepping stone until Jesus returns? Is time for the soul the same as our timing, or does the soul remain on God's time? Wondering minds want to know!! -DE

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  4. Sherri HardingJune 4, 2010 at 7:53 AM

    very interesting! I hadn't thought of that. I did think of purgatory whatever that is.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 5, 2010 at 7:56 AM

    What happened to Jesus' soul from the time He died until He rose from the dead? He told Mary not to hold on to Him for He had not returned to the Father yet. We can only imagine.

    ReplyDelete

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