![]() ![]() Some of the witnesses to the miracle become followers of Jesus others report the event to the Pharisees, who are fearful that the Romans will destroy all the Jews if belief in Jesus’ miracles becomes widespread. To the amazement of the onlooking sisters, disciples and other gathered witnesses, Lazarus emerges from the cave, “his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth” ( John 11:44). Nevertheless, Jesus commands: “Lazarus, come out!” Jesus goes to the tomb-a cave with a stone blocking the opening-and orders: “Take away the stone.” Whereupon Martha advises: “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days” ( John 11:39). When Jesus arrives in Bethany he finds Lazarus dead and in his tomb. ![]() Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” ( John 11:23–26). Jesus assures her, “Your brother will rise again,” to which Martha answers: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus responds to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. Jesus delays for more than two days in responding to the sisters’ plea finally he sets out for Bethany. (Mary, not to be confused with the mother of Jesus, is identified as “the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair” ). His two sisters Martha and Mary 1 appeal for help to Jesus, who is some distance away, east of the Jordan. In the biblical text Lazarus, described as the one whom “Jesus loved,” falls ill. Some art reflects the gospel account itself other art deals with issues that developed in the early Church and reveals how Christians thought about Jesus’ magical powers, about his resurrection and about whether flesh as well as spirit could be restored to life. Illustrations provide one way among many that the story of Lazarus can be understood. ![]() Viewers familiar with the Gospel of John immediately recognize this as the moment when Jesus commands the dead man to rise and exit his tomb, crying, “Lazarus, come out!” Yet in many ways-the booth, the mummy wrappings, the magician’s wand-it differs from the account in the Gospel of John ( 11:1–45), incidentally the only canonical gospel in which the raising of Lazarus is recounted. The scene is stunning, even slightly horrifying. Nearby, a man holding a wand taps or points at the mummy. It is surely not impossible for the wealthy to enter heaven (numerous Godly men of the Bible were prosperous), but Scripture is plain that it is very troublesome ( Luke 18:24-25).An intriguing image frequently appears on the walls of ancient Christian catacombs and on carved reliefs of early Christian tombs-a mummy-like creature emerging from a small booth. ![]() "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." ( Mark 4:19). Not only do fortunes not get one into heaven, but they have the potential to separate a person from God like few other things. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” ( James 5:5). However, as the apostle James advised, “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. Also, he believed the impoverished, like Lazarus, were cursed by God. The rich man incorrectly saw his worldly wealth as proof of God’s love and blessing. Moral of Lazarus and the Rich Man Parable This Bible story is a great and powerful reminder that we will pay for our sins on earth when we finally decease, therefore we should love and care for our fellow mankind. Abraham told the rich man that if his brothers did not believe in Scripture, neither would they believe Lazarus, even if he came directly from heaven. Pleading to “Father Abraham” in heaven, the rich man asked that Lazarus come down from heaven to cool his tongue with a drop of water to reduce his “agony in this fire.” The rich man additionally requested Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth as a warning to his brothers to atone for their sins, however, both requests were refused. Lazarus was welcomed into heaven, while the rich man was condemned to hell. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |