Garden tomb Julia Wade has an amazing CD, “Story for the Ages.” She joyously and sensitively sings Jesus' story – from the Old testament prophecies to his crucifixion, resurrection, and beyond. It's an eclectic, happy, and healing musical adventure.
I’ve been listening over and over to a song that blows me away. It’s titled simply “Lazarus.” It’s Christ calling Lazarus (who's been dead four days) from the tomb – with total expectancy that Lazarus will come forth.
Peter Link’s music and text brilliantly interweaves gentle Congolese rhythms and words as a backdrop for the dual message:
- Take away the stone.
- Lazarus – come forth!
This whole piece touches me deeply – because it’s not only about Lazarus. It’s a message of healing, about resurrecting in our lives all the little things that seem to have died. Lazarus becomes a metaphor for spiritual progress. For seeing past the material thing we call man, to finding the substance of who our friends and neighbors really are. Who we are. And calling forth that reality.
The graves in Jesus’ time were caves whose doorways were sealed with a slice of round stone.
“Take away the stone that stands before you.”
My friend Helene said, “Why that stone could be anything that doesn’t belong, that isn’t from God. That blocks you from going forward.”
Right. It could be anger, fear, self-pity, pride. Whatever it is, don’t let your life purpose stay buried. Take away the stone!
“Lazarus, come forth!” Come out from behind that obstruction and let your life move forward.
“See the perfect man that stands before you.
See the Christ in him, and him in me.”
See what God knows about his creation, right here. Honor man’s Christliness, and know he honors yours. When this deeply happens, healing takes place.
“I am Christ, and I am the master.
Death stands not in my way.”
Christ is the authority for healing, for renewing, for resurrection.
Related links:
Looking for an exit door? July 5 post
Story for the Ages - CD purchase
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