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In with Lazarus

Sunday, March 9, 2008

John 11:17, 38-43
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days ... Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.

Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days."

Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and ... he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."

Scattering the dust
Jesus walks in
His sandals carry weight and the air
Parts for him.
In the corners of the cave
Wary lizards of death
Cower
They hate the light that pours in through the door
They know their power is gone
And their hunger is trumped by fear

Shadowy women weep
And their tears wet the shroud
Of Lazarus
Their dead brother
Dead four days
Bled dry and buried
No more to sit with them at supper
No more to eat the lamb and mint jelly
He loved so much
Lazarus, O Lazarus my brother

Jesus' heart
Is broken too
He weeps with them
Death's heavy breathing
Fogs their eyes
Then resurrection
Stirs the air
Jesus breathes in, breathes out
And shouts
Come forth!

No revising this
History.
This birth after death
Death fell down the stairs
And lost its way
The man who stinketh
Stinketh no more
He's alive! He's alive!
Jesus' arms around the man,
And he laughs and laughs

Breathe on me, Lord. Dust swirls. Life stirs. Your smile beckons me.



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