On Friday, the 40th day of the Great Lent, we recall the Temptation of Jesus and his triumph over the Satan without invoking his divinity. In spite of relentless pursuit of Satan to tempt Jesus to show or use His divinity for material gains, Jesus refused to be tempted. Jesus, by winning the temptation using tools available to all of us mortals, shows that we also can win over Satan's temptation. Some theologians think that Satan was unsure of the true identity of Jesus and was testing to determine if He was indeed the Messiah.

Everything Jesus Christ did had a purpose behind it. So, what did He wanted us to learn from his Temptation? Jesus told us that while in earth, all his disciples will be targeted and will face trials and tribulations. (We know too well what is happening to our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, Syria and other places in the World, persecuted for their faith.) Being a Christian is not a cake walk. We will face our own crosses. If they can crucify the son of God, what will they do to his disciples? St. Augustine (of Hippo) explains:

"Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself, except through trial, or receives a crown, except after victory, or strives, except against an enemy, or temptations.

The one who cries from the ends of the earth is in anguish, but is not left on his own. Christ chose to foreshadow us, who are his body, by means of his body, in which he has died, risen and ascended into heaven, so that the members of his body may hope to follow where their head has gone before.

He made us one with him when he chose to be tempted by Satan. We have heard in the gospel how the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Certainly Christ was tempted by the devil. In Christ you were tempted, for Christ received his flesh from your nature, but by his own power gained salvation for you; he suffered death in your nature, but by his own power gained glory for you; therefore, he suffered temptation in your nature, but by his own power gained victory for you.

If in Christ we have been tempted, in him we overcome the devil. Do you think only of Christ's temptations and fail to think of his victory? See yourself as tempted in him, and see yourself as victorious in him. He could have kept the devil from himself; but if he were not tempted he could not teach you how to triumph over temptation."

The Gospel reading for Saturday, April 8 is from John 11:28-46. This is the bible portion describing the 'Raising of Lazarus.' The early verses of John 11 is significant to provide the context for one of the last miracles of Jesus.

First, there is an important mention of the beloved guardian angel of Malankara, viz., St. Thomas. When you read the bible, you will find that there are only very few places where St. Thomas' name is mentioned. But wherever St. Thomas is mentioned, it is very significant.

The other important aspect of this story of Jesus is the powerful faith statement made by Martha to Jesus, confessing Him as the son of God and the messiah.

Jesus makes one of his I am statements ('I am the resurrection and the Life.')

And lastly, the raising of Lazarus starts a chain reaction that leads to the capture, 'trial', crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ. The temple authorities knew that they are losing control when they heard Lazarus was raised from dead. They even planned to kill Lazarus too!

Let us get back to the story of the raising of Lazarus from dead.

The sisters Martha and Mary sent a messenger to Jesus saying that Lazarus is seriously ill. Obviously, they were expecting Jesus to come to their house in a hurry and heal him like he did to numerous others. The problem was that the journey to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, was very dangerous at that time and was not advised. The temple authorities were hatching all kinds of plans to catch Jesus. The disciples were against the trip. Jesus decided to stay back 2 more days. Then he told his disciples that he has decided to go to Bethany. The only person who supported Jesus' decision at that time was St. Thomas. Let us take a look at how John describes it:

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."
16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
John 11:14-16 (NKJV)

Verse 15 is a bit confusing. If Lazarus is dead, why then take a chance to go to Bethany and risk getting right into the trap of church authorities? Jesus is also saying that He was glad of Lazarus' death for the sake of the disciples. 2000 years later, we can see the logic of Jesus' statement. Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die. In fact he was already dead when Jesus got the message. If he wanted, he could have said something from where he was to heal Lazarus. He does not have to travel to Bethany. He could have healed Lazarus like he healed the centurion's servant from far.

The fact was, Jesus wanted to use the example of raising Lazarus as a sign to strengthen the faith of the disciples. He knew He won't be with them for long and the disciples will be on their own soon. So, this was a golden chance to perform this miracle as a way to glorify the God. He wanted to make sure that Lazarus was dead and was buried. Four days would pass before Jesus reaches Bethany. So, there won't be absolutely any question that Lazarus was dead and the chemical decomposition of the body has already begun.

For St. Thomas, he was ready to go anywhere with Jesus and was even willing to die with Jesus. Of course, we know that Thomas and other disciples will soon run away from Jesus when Jesus was caught.

St. Chrysostomos, in Homily 62 on the Gospel of John (1889) describes this incident thus:

Now they all feared the attacks of the Jews, but Thomas above the rest; wherefore also he said,
Let us go, that we also may die with Him.
- John 11:16

"Some say that he (Thomas) desired himself to die; but it is not so; the expression is rather one of cowardice. Yet he was not rebuked, for Christ, as yet, supported his weakness, but afterwards he became stronger than all, and invincible. For the wonderful thing is this; that we see one who was so weak before the Crucifixion, become after the Crucifixion, and after having believed in the Resurrection, more zealous than any. So great was the power of Christ. The very man who dared not go in company with Christ to Bethany, the same while not seeing Christ ran well near through the inhabited world, and dwelt in the midst of nations that were full of murder, and desirous to kill him."

Yes, Jesus knew Thomas will run away from him during his passion; but he also knew that he will strengthen in conviction after experiencing the resurrection of Jesus.

There is another important faith statement in this Gospel passage that also is often ignored in our haste to concentrate on the raising of Lazarus.

Jesus arrives in Bethany. Martha, hearing of Jesus' arrival rush to meet him. Let us take a look at how John explains this encounter:

20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
- John 11:20-27 (NKJV)

Let us examine this passage a little closely. Mary said:

"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. "

Martha had full faith that Jesus could have healed Lazarus and he would not have died if Jesus was there. But then she goes a step further.

"But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."

In other words, Martha also believed that Jesus can raise Lazarus even if he is dead for 4 days, because Jesus is the son of God and God grants everything Jesus ask of Him!! What a faith!! She is not mad at Jesus, like we would have expected. Just like Jesus prayed to God the Father in Gethsemane a few days later, as explained in Matthew 26:

39 He fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
- Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)

Compare what Martha said with what Jesus said. Both knew that God can do anything. But they will trust God at His decision on if He want to get involved in raising her brother from dead. That is faith in full display!

Let us go back to John 11 and continue the encounter between Martha and Jesus.

23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
- John 11:23-27 (NKJV)

Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise again. Martha accepted that word of Jesus; but she interpreted that as being raised on the last day. This is when Jesus gives another important "I am statement":

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

And whoever lives and believes in Me (Jesus) shall never die.

Then He asks Mary a question,

Do you believe this?

All the power of Jesus is readily available to Martha, Mary and Lazarus. But she need to believe in Jesus to inherit the blessing.

Now comes one of the strongest faith statements in the bible. Martha said,

27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

Martha says, without an iota of doubt that Jesus is the Son of God; He is the messiah!!

Her faith saved Lazarus.

This is how St. Chrysostomos described this passage:

And whosoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die.
- John 11:26

Observe how He leads her mind upward; for to raise Lazarus was not the only thing sought; it was necessary that both she and they who were with her should learn the Resurrection. Wherefore before the raising of the dead He teaches heavenly wisdom by words. But if He is the Resurrection, and the Life, He is not confined by place, but, present everywhere, knows how to heal. If therefore they had said, as did the centurion, Speak the word, and my servant shall be healed Matthew 8:8, He would have done so; but since they summoned Him to them, and begged Him to come, He condescends in order to raise them from the humble opinion they had formed of Him, and comes to the place. Still while condescending, He showed that even when absent He had power to heal. On this account also He delayed, for the mercy would not have been apparent as soon as it was given, had there not been first an ill savor (from the corpse). But how did the woman know that there was to be a Resurrection? They had heard Christ say many things about the Resurrection, yet still she now desired to see Him. And observe how she still lingers below; for after hearing, I am the Resurrection and the Life, not even so did she say, Raise him, but,

I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God.
- John 11:27

What is Christ's reply? He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, (here speaking of this death which is common to all. ) And whosoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die John 11:26, signifying that other death. Since then I am the Resurrection and the Life, be not thou troubled, though your brother be already dead, but believe, for this is not death. For a while He comforted her on what had happened; and gave her glimpses of hope, by saying, He shall rise again, and, I am the Resurrection; and that having risen again, though he should again die, he shall suffer no harm, so that it needs not to fear this death. What He says is of this kind: Neither is this man dead, nor shall you die. Believest thou this? She says, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God.

Which should come into the world.
- John 11:27

The woman seems to me not to understand the saying; she was conscious that it was some great thing, but did not perceive the whole meaning, so that when asked one thing, she answered another. Yet for a while at least she had this gain, that she moderated her grief; such was the power of the words of Christ. On this account Martha went forth first, and Mary followed. For their affection to their Teacher did not allow them strongly to feel their present sorrow; so that the minds of these women were truly wise as well as loving.

Now we fast forward to the raising of Lazarus. Jesus asks the people to move the stone that covered the cave. Then he prayed to God, the Father. (Note that before He did anything, Jesus always prayed. That should show the importance of prayer - something we should emulate.) Now Jesus faces Lazarus' tomb and makes the famous exhortation,

Lazarus, come forth (John 11:43)
In Latin, this is: Lazare, Veni Foras.

Fr. Marks explains the significance of this cry beautifully:

The cry of Our Lord before the tomb of Lazarus echoes still in our hearts. "Lazare, veni foras" (Jn 11:43). Hear the immensity of this cry. It is addressed to each of us. Who among us is not Lazarus, called out of the shadow of death into the light of day, out of the bands of death's confining shroud into the freedom of movement in the Holy Spirit? For Saint Bernard, if you are called to a life of penance, you are Lazarus. ...

Why does the sacred liturgy set this "icon" of the resurrection of Lazarus before us? First of all, because the resurrection of Lazarus announces the resurrection of Christ. The glorious body of the risen Christ fulfills the prophecy of Ezekiel:

"I will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God and they will be My people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore"
(Ez 37:26-28)...

In the Communion of the Church

There is a detail not to be overlooked. Christ leaves us free to respond or not to his cry, "Veni foras! - Come forth!" Is it possible to prefer the stench and darkness of the tomb - isolation and death - to life, to light, to communion with Christ and with one another? You have not forgotten, I am sure, that Lazarus came forth from the tomb "his hands and feet bound with bandages" (Jn 11:44). He emerged from the darkness into the light of day having need of others to "unbind him and let him go" (Jn 11:44). The new life, the risen life cannot be lived outside the community of the Church, nor apart from the fraternal communion of the monastery. When we withdraw, preferring the isolation of the bands that bind us, to the ministrations of fraternal charity, we refuse life. We have need of the communion of the Church, need of the hands and feet of others, need of the compassionate unbinding of the Mother of God. We find all of this - communion with whole Body of Christ - in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

We will close this article by quoting from Monk James Silver about raising Lazarus:

This miracle of Jesus, in which He restores life to a man four days dead, is a sign of His authority over life and death. And His example of weeping over the death of Lazaros validates our own sense of frustration and loss, expressed in tears when death overtakes those we love. Still, we should not weep like people without hope (1 THESS 4:13), for we know that Christ is risen and that He will also raise us who have faith in Him, for so He promised (JN 11).

The Lord's divine prerogatives concerning our own life and death, demonstrated in the raising of St Lazaros as a representative or prototype of us all, will have its supreme expression only a few days later. In Jesus Christ's own resurrection from the dead, His return to life makes it clear that He is the only One Who has 'authority to lay (His) life down, and authority to take it up again' (JN 10:18). Demonstrating that authority over His own life and death proves that He is able to keep His promise to us who believe in Him.