When people look at you, does your daily walk somehow make others think about Jesus? It did for Lazarus. Lazarus became a living testimony for Jesus.
Lazarus, who was a friend of Jesus, was allowed to die so Jesus would be gloried. Yes, Jesus knew beforehand that Lazarus was dying, but purposely stayed away until after Lazarus’ death. That might sound uncaring to us, as it did to some of Jesus’ followers, who questioned, “if only Jesus had been here.”
But Jesus doesn’t view death the same way we do. He is the author of life and “holds the keys to death.” So, after Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus returned to Bethany. There:
Jesus, once more deply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?
So they took away the sone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said the the, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:38-43)
Lazarus’ body and mind were fully restored. After Jesus raised him from death, for the remainder of Lazarus’ life on earth, his every word and breath caused people to reflect on Jesus.
Still, have you ever considered how the remaining days of Lazarus life and daily walk impacted others for Jesus?
Lazarus was a breathing testimony of Jesus Christ. And I doubt he could keep silent about it. How many times over the course of his life did he share his testimony about Jesus? Probably hundreds, if not thousands.
We read in Scripture that, “the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him” (John 12:10). I think this speaks to both Lazarus’ life and his spoken testimony.
I doubt Lazarus had much fear of those trying to put him to death. After all, he had already experienced a physical death, and knew the outcome. What did he have to be afraid of? His mindset was probably more like, “bring it on, the best is yet to come.”
Oh, that we could live with such boldness, strength, and confidence.
Truthfully, we should. And, we can in Christ. If we have trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and are “in Christ”, it is no less a miracle than Jesus raising Lazarus to life. In fact, our salvation is more of a miracle. Our salvation caused Jesus his life, as He bore our sin and shame at Calvary.
Therefore, as followers of Jesus, shouldn’t our actions, words, and demeanor reflect Jesus.
As a believer, you are a living testimony to others about the grandeur of Jesus and His ability to change lives. You were dead in your sins, but raised to live an abundant life in Christ . . . now and forevermore.
We can live fearlessly, because we do know what our future knows. Death is but a “shadow,” and shadows have no substance for believers.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV).
