Resurrection’s Beloved

Read John 11:17-27;33-44; 20:1-8

As one reads the verses from John 11 and 20, it is two resurrection stories – the raising of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus.

The first story is selected verses that leads to Lazarus being raised by Jesus. Note that in the discourse that Jesus has with the sisters Mary and Martha, they regret that Jesus had come so late – “if only,” Jesus had come earlier, their brother would not have died. Then Jesus affirms that their brother will rise again and asserts that He is the Resurrection and the Life, that any who believes in Him would not die, but have eternal life. Even more, Jesus asks, “Do you believe this?”

The drama continues as they all go to the tomb where the body of Lazarus is buried. I find it very moving that one of the shortest verses of scripture states the emotional bond that Jesus has for Lazarus – that “Jesus wept.” People nearby remark, “See how much he loved him.”  The stone that covers the tomb is rolled away and Jesus calls out in sheer emotional angst for His friend, “Lazarus, come forth!”  Lazarus emerges from the tomb alive and Jesus commands the people to unbind him and clothe him (of resurrection clothing?)

Now, let’s look at the second resurrection story from John 20. Peter and the beloved disciple are told by the ladies who had come to finish the burial of Jesus, only to find the tomb empty. They run to tell the disciples, especially the beloved and Peter. The two disciples run to the empty tomb with the beloved arriving first, but not going in while Peter runs into the tomb and finds the linens that were wrapped around Jesus’ body empty. Finally, the beloved looks inside the tomb, “sees and believes.” It is totally awesome – even reading further in John 20 of how the risen Jesus makes Himself known.

Tradition has told us that the beloved disciple of Jesus is John. There is sufficient scriptural support to expect that to be true. John is the only disciple who stayed with Jesus at the cross with Mary. He also is the only disciple not to die a martyr’s death. He has authored three epistles and the Revelation of St. John. So, John’s witness as the beloved and as a faithful disciple of Jesus is well founded. He would indeed be a beloved of the resurrection.

However, I am moved by a group of scholars who affirm another as “the beloved.” Namely, Lazarus.  Simply, recall how Jesus wept when Lazarus is in the tomb. Recall how the people around remarked how much Jesus loved Lazarus. More telling, in the second resurrection story of John 20, the beloved is not specifically named, but that he and Peter run to the tomb. The beloved (unnamed) looks into the tomb and immediately “sees and believes!” Who better than Lazarus to know the resurrection first-hand!

I raise these questions because I believe this story leaves an open door of faith for any of us to be “The Beloved of the Resurrection.”  What might be the evidence that would show you and your loved ones – see how much they loved Him (Jesus)?  Insert your name in place of “the beloved” in the resurrection story of John 20. Would you be able to look in the empty tomb, see and believe? The story of Easter’s Resurrection is more enveloping than we would ever imagine.  The power of the story is the Holy Spirit nudging us to see how the Resurrection reality will impact us this Easter Season. It continues as we may need to “unbind” those who have been entombed in guilt or some form of oppression or addiction or abuse. It may be a loving action that witnesses to our neighbors that our love has a Resurrection about to happen. So, either of us are that “Beloved of the Resurrection.” What awesome power and witness that would be in Jesus’ name! 

Prayer: Lord, make us to be known as Your beloved, but also empowered and equipped to be a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus.  Let that be seen in our daily ministry that shows that resurrection love and care for another that the Spirit of His being the Resurrection and the Life may be seen in our actions through Christ Jesus. Amen

Dr. John J. Duling