In Pursuit of JesusSample

Alive Again

Henry Ossawa Tanner burst onto the art scene in 1896 with his masterpiece The Resurrection of Lazarus. The painting earned a medal at the Paris Salon, making Tanner a phenomenon. The most stunning feature of Lazarus is the many evocative expressions painted on the faces of those gathered round Jesus and Lazarus. Tanner explained his desire to illuminate the biblical narrative while also adding the human touch “which makes the whole world kin.”

Tanner knew that whatever our differences, we’re all bound together by the inevitability of death. And we all together find our hope in Jesus who is victorious over death. In John, it was “a man named Lazarus [who] was sick,” but the truth is we’re all sick (11:1). We’re all, one way or another, doomed to the grave. Though Mary and Martha asked for Christ’s help, Lazarus died before Jesus arrived. Surely, then, this was the end of the story. Everyone knew death owned the final word.

Jesus disagreed. Standing before the dead man’s tomb and the astonished crowd, He thundered, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43). And Lazarus walked out of his crypt.

All of us know the weight and fear of death. The death of our bodies and our relationships and our hopes. Jesus has the final word. His transforming ways continue to bring light and life to our world. —Winn Collier

How have you experienced the bitter effects of death? Where do you sense God speaking life into you and your experience?

Jesus, there’s death everywhere. Would You bring me Your life? Would You speak the final word?