John 12:9-11

John 12:9-11
English Standard Version (ESV)

  The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead appears only in Luke, not in Matthew and Mark, with the thought being that this story wasn't widely circulated in the earlier Gospels due to concern for Lazarus' life.  The story clearly brought a number of converts into Christianity, and Lazarus was certainly a minor celebrity -- imagine how many people came to his house simply to see that he was alive again.  The plan by the chief priests seems comically weak -- they're going to kill a man that Jesus has already proven can be raised from the dead?  If they killed him, and then Jesus raised him once more, that would probably only bring more people to faith!
  This story goes to show how powerful one transformation story can be.  It shows us how far the ripples can spread from that life, and that the forces that oppose us are real -- and that while they can threaten our bodies, they cannot tear us from the hands of Jesus. 
  Obviously, Lazarus died again -- he was raised from the dead, but not restored to eternal life.  That would have to wait.  In the meantime, though, he had glimpsed the power of God.  What would his life have been like?  How would he have told his story?  He had been changed -- and he knew the power of hope in Jesus Christ. 
  We who have been baptized into the death of Christ Jesus share in his resurrection.  Until our baptisms are complete and we sit with Christ in the fullness of God's Kingdom, what story will we tell to the world?