The Gospel of Lazarus? ~ Week 4

Due to a major thunderstorm here in Tulsa, we had no power two weeks ago and therefore, we are running a week behind on our series, "The Gospel of Lazarus?" However, we were able to pick up where we left off this past Wednesday night. We looked to the 20th chapter of John where Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb of Jesus. Remember, we are looking to our texts in John looking for clues to determine if Lazarus could be the author of this unique gospel. In this message, we looked at what is NOT in John's Gospel as well as what is included. What you may notice is that if John of Zebedee was the author, why are there no Galilee stories or stories about John's calling to follow Jesus? The text is written from an eye witness perspective and one would expect that if John were the author we would have some important stories from his perspective. The Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) all include the story from the Garden of Gethsemane and include stories from Galilee. The only Galilee story in John's text is the wedding in Cana from which the Beloved Disciple would have second-hand information from housing Mary, who was an eyewitness to the event. Next week, we will look at the evidence as to why John of Zebedee (the Apostle John)has become widely accepted as the Beloved Disciple, but for know, we will continue to look at this text's clues. The text here in chapter 20, makes clear that "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" reached to tomb first. If the other disciple was indeed Lazarus, Lazarus, as a local resident, would have been much more familiar with the location of the tomb and perhaps knew the quickest, most efficient route to the tomb. We suspect that the Beloved Disciple lived in the local area as discussed in previous clues. Mary, upon Jesus' death, moved into the house of the Beloved Disciple from that hour on and in the beginning chapter of Acts, Mary is still in the area on the day of Pentecost.

But here is something to ponder. Why did the other disciple pause at the entrance to the tomb. Now think about it for just a moment. Think about it from the perspective that if Lazarus is that other disciple, why would he pause? I cannot help but think that if Lazarus were to run up upon an empty tomb, he would pause before entering having just recently been released from a tomb of his own. Also, Lazarus was VERY familiar with the linen wrappings. So when the other disciple saw and "believed," it is very possible that the disciple Lazarus saw and believed first that Jesus was alive! While the text goes on to explain that the disciples did not fully understand the meaning of the scriptures, I think Lazarus having an intimate understanding of this situation could easily believe is Jesus' resurrection. You must decide for yourself... spend some time in the Gospel of John. Pray. Reflect. Sit with God. Again, next week we look to the last verses of John (John 21:18-25)and explore the tradition of the Beloved Disciple being John... Blessings!