Articles

Road to Calvary.001

The moment for which Jesus came was getting ever closer. Every day was a step closer to Jerusalem. And every step brought him closer to his cross. The hour for him to be lifted up was quickly drawing near. Jesus knew his destiny. He knew there was a cross waiting for him in Jerusalem. But he knew that his ministry was not yet finished. There was one thing left to be done. There was one friend left to love.

Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary. Jesus was a very good friend of this family. He often dinned with them. He loved them very much. Jesus gets word that Lazarus is ill and facing death. Going to him would mean going to Bethany, which is just a few miles from Jerusalem. This is dangerously close to a city filled with people who want him dead. But Jesus wants the glory of the Lord to be revealed. So after a few days and after some resistance from the disciples, Jesus finally comes goes him.

When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has already been dead and in the grave for four days. Martha approaches Jesus and questions him about his delay. "Where were you, Lord? Could you not have stopped this?" Jesus comforts her, saying your brother will rise again. The future hope of a resurrection is not much comfort for a grieving family now. But Jesus graciously corrects her. He is not talking about the resurrection as an event that will take place. No, the resurrection is a person. And he is standing right in front of her.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” The resurrection belongs to Jesus. He has the power to raise the dead to life. And to prove it he calls for the stone to be move from Lazarus’ tomb. And then with a loud voice, he cries out, “Lazarus, come out.” And with those three words the chains of death were broken, the breath of life filled Lazarus, and out walks a man taking off his grave clothes.

What amazing power and grace that Jesus can simply speak and roll back the pangs of sin and death! “Come out. Be alive. Arise, your light has come!” He calls us to and the light of life floods our dead hearts, bringing us true resurrection. But this everlasting life doesn't come to us without a cost. Even now, Jesus knows that this event will set into motion the unstoppable, perfect plan of God. Lazarus has been raised. The glory of God has been displayed. The rulers and authorities in Jerusalem are resolved to put Jesus to death. And Jesus is prepared to lay down his life for his friends to prove his love.

Jesus is now ready to walk the road to Calvary.