Strange Truth

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44 ESV).

Have you ever noticed random references as you scroll through various sites to “Weird Facts from History”? Sometimes they simply tease you into visiting their site with a strange reference to something reported to be true from the past. Well, I decided I’d visit one of those sites as I wrote today’s devotional. I found this picture of a gravestone monument belonging to Russian comic actor and clown, Yuri Vladimirovich Nikulin. He was also the theatrical manager of the old Moscow Circus which is now referred to as Nikulin Circus in his honor. He was also awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1973 and Hero of Socialist Labor in 1990. He underwent emergency heart surgery in 1997, and unfortunately, did not survive it. He was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery. While that is strange, it certainly is not as strange as our reading today. The portion I’ve selected is from a larger context of the death and burial of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha; and, a good friend of Jesus. Jesus is not far away from Bethany when the news arrives that his friend is very ill, near death. Jesus delays going to Bethany until after he dies; that is strange in itself. And, upon his arrival, four days after Lazarus’ death, He is greeted by the grieving sisters. Martha, being the more dominant of the sisters, is angry. Jesus asks to be taken to the tomb and says, “Take away the stone.” She responds with an explanation that it has been four days and the deterioration of the body would be very unpleasant. Jesus’ response is kind, but insistent. Jesus speaks and Lazarus comes out of the tomb alive! Here’s the strange part. He is still bound by the grave clothes he was buried in! Now, I don’t know if he hopped, shuffled, floated, or stumbled. What I do know is that Jesus made a very important point. While it is possible for Him to raise the dead, that is not the goal. His goal is resurrection! And, that is what He has won for us in the Cross!