The earth rumbled beneath my feet, and I turned to see the mountain reduced to dust. Solid ground faded into the mist, and I found myself deeper than any cavern I have ever known.
I stopped to count extremities, fingers and toes that seemed to be intact, but the life force that moved them suffered in the fall. Fellow travelers rushed to my aid, offering cool water to wipe my face and the effort was appreciated, but it had little effect as some things had run too deep.
The earthquake had been so sudden, the damage so severe, I didn’t want to move but I couldn’t stay where I was. It was a battle of mind over body, I felt like a spectator watching the shell of who I was struggling to stand, only to crumble under my own weight. My heart and soul were shattered beyond the strength to do their part, and did nothing but lie down, which is what I’m trying to avoid in myself, in fear I would remain frozen there.
Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus, so his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word that their brother was ill. They knew Jesus could heal him.
When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. John 11:4-6
The disciples did not understand the waiting and during that time, Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived, both sisters said:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:21-27
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the Glory of God?” John 11:40
I fell to my knees, staring at the tomb, awaiting my Lazarus moment. But my vision was clouded by tears mixed into the dust that used to be the mountain. It was all I had left.
I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
… and the mountain.
Somewhere, beyond my vision,
Jesus stood at the tomb and called in a loud voice,
“Come out!”
He embraced the mountain.
Jesus said, “Unbind him. Set him free.”
Amen …
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