art by nathan michael
I’ve been singing the hymn “I Am Thine, O Lord” during my times of private worship throughout the season of Lent this year. This song has struck me in new ways as I read the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. An occurrence like Lazarus’ funeral will be recurring many times a day all around the world. A sorrowful family assembles, friends, coworkers, classmates and acquaintances come and pay their last respects. The specifics of our moment of death will differ for each of us, but the progression from life to death will be universal. Just this past week I participated in the funeral of my Great Aunt Ginny who was like an additional grandma to me. I stood by her casket and by her grave and once again looked into the six foot deep event that we all will take part in, death is universal.
What can you hear when you’re dead? In the story of Lazarus it is ironic that we don’t read what was said by Lazarus. How did Lazarus reacted to being raised from the dead (John 11:17-44)? Even after days in the tomb, with the dark heavy blanket of death hanging between Lazarus and Jesus, Lazarus still reacts to the voice of Jesus. Jesus, the Good Shepherd called his name and even through death Lazarus heard, and came out of the tomb. As I have been worshiping with this hymn, “I Am Thine, O Lord” and considering the story of Lazarus I’ve been working through this question; When I die, do I fully believe and expect that my next experience will be hearing the voice of Jesus calling me by name?
I am Thine, O Lord,
I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain] - (Fanny J. Crosby 1926)
