Lazarus the undead, Judas the thief, and more

(83) Being Raised from the Dead might Pose Problems

Jesus finally arrives back in Bethany with his friends Martha, Mary and the recently dead Lazarus. He’s been traveling with Passover pilgrims, making fairly slow progress, and arrives (Read John 11:55-12:1) six days before Passover, which is cutting it rather fine since travelers liked to have a full 7 days to cleanse themselves in case they met something unclean on the journey.

1.       Read John 12:1-3. Traditionally, guests were offered water to wash their feet in after a journey. A few drops of perfume might be added. Nard wouldn’t be used (not even a small amount) as that would be religiously wasteful. Have you ever complained about wasteful church rituals (not necessarily your own church’s rituals)?

a.      What does ritual—or expensive ritual—give us? And what rituals have meant most to you?

b.      Why might Mary be thinking of ritual burial (where nard was used) at this time?

2.       Read John 12:4-6. John calls Judas a thief. Does that mean we have to believe Judas was a thief?

a.      Later we’ll see Judas betraying Jesus for money. Does that mean we have to believe he’s a thief?

b.      If Jesus is about to become the king, what other things might money be needed for?

c.       If Jesus is about to become the sacrifice, what other things might anointing be needed for?

3.       Read Exodus 12:3. It’s hard to know exactly how to count the days (given the way they start in an evening in one tradition and morning in another), but this could well be the evening meal starting the sixth day before Passover, the 10^th of Nisan. The chosen lamb’s legs will be rubbed with oil to make sure they’ve not been damaged in transport to Jerusalem. Does this change how we view Mary’s anointing Jesus’ feet?

4.       Read John 12:7-8.  The disciples still don’t understand that Jesus will die and be buried. Do you think Mary does?

a.      Do you think she also understands about resurrection, given that Lazarus was raised?

b.      Why might she be more likely to accept Jesus’ approaching death than, say, Peter or Judas would?

c.       Comparing gifts, Peter has a gift for leadership, Mary for listening, Judas for finance and detail. What gifts do you associate other disciples with? And what’s your gift?

If we follow this chronology, Jesus will be anointed a second time on 13^th Nisan, again in Bethany, and this time on his head. Other chronologies will suggest these are the same event. But if they’re different, the second anointing corresponds to anointing the Paschal lamb two days before sacrifice. The days, from 10^th to 14^th Nisan correspond to the days during which the lamb should be cared for with the family before sacrifice (Read Exodus 12:1-6). Meanwhile Lazarus, who was dead, is eating dinner with them. Read John 12:9-11.

1.       According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, Lazarus had to flee Judea after Pentecost, and went to Cyprus. Barnabas and Paul appointed him the first Bishop of Larnaka (Kition), and he lived for 30 more years, but never smiled(!). Western tradition says Lazarus, Martha and Mary sailed to Provence, and Lazarus became the bishop of Marseille where he was imprisoned by Emperor Domitian and beheaded. Whatever you think of these traditions, given verse 10, do you think life (after death) was easy for him?

2.       What about life after Jesus’ death: Does being raised to new life with Christ make life easy?

3.       The next day, Jesus will enter Jerusalem and people will wave palms. Does this include verse 11’s new believers?

4.       In a few days, Jesus will be arrested and people will shout “Crucify.” Does this include verse 11’s new believers?

5.       Jesus would say “Father forgive them.” Does this include these new believers? Will they be forgiven?

6.       Read Matthew 27:25, Exodus 12:7. If any of the crowd believe Jesus is the lamb, what might this mean?

7.       Does being raised to new life with Christ mean we won’t make mistakes, we won’t suffer, we won’t fail…?