He stands before the tomb
And he weeps
Not for the dead
Nor for the grieving
But because he knew this would happen
And that the Father had willed it
He knew that Lazarus would die
Even before he fell ill
Two days’ delay, three days…
What would it matter?
He knows something great is about to happen
As he weeps
And what shall we say
When it comes to pass?
Shall we contrive a celebration
In verbal gymnastics?
Marvel that he makes all things known?
Declare that Lazarus is now a known creation
That the Lord’s mercies are known each mourning
That a known life has now begun?
No. He knew this was going to happen
And whatever next befalls
That is miracle enough
And I am terrified
Jesus stands before the tomb
And he weeps
What else does he know?
What else does he know… about me?
Most movies depict the raising of Lazarus a big moment of epiphany. But it’s not like Jesus had never raised someone from the dead before. The key thing that was different this time was that he had let Lazarus die. And that had big implications. Peter doesn’t realize just how big yet, but he’s got some glimmer of it…