Near the gates of Jerusalem it was reported that Jesus raised a man from the dead to the astonishment and fear of all who were present. His name was Lazarus. When the Temple scribes and priests heard the pandemonium of the crowds they knew they had to confront Jesus whom they feared might be another zealot revolutionary or one who would facilitate their dangerous objectives.

When they confronted the Lord their very demeanor, like that of so many theologian cynics in the Church and churches today, indicated how preposterous they believed such a claim was.

Today perhaps the vast majority of theologians would agree: Men do not rise from the dead! Even the Sadducees knew that. The very idea shows how improbable such a  hope is.

But there is another improbability to consider: creation itself. Being. Being itself. How unwise it would be to believe with cynics that we too believe that everything there is came from nothing at all*. But existence is. And Lazarus came forth.

The Holy Trinity is the God of the improbable. We are because the Holy Trinity is.

Man’s head is only a little larger than a coconut, yet he believes he can explain everything there is. If not today then tomorrow. But after the Creation of all that is, Lazarus is merely a footnote. ⁶

“Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” — Mt. 9:5

Stephen Hand

Photos: Art in Film. Franco Zeffirelli’s 1979 series, Jesus of Nazareth.* As G.K. Chesterton noted more than once.

* As G.K. Chesterton noted more than once.

Evolutionary nothingness is far different than ex nihilo by the hand and Word of God (Jn 1:1-14)