Lazarus Laughed

Several people have asked me if I am ever afraid – afraid about my circumstances, my disease and all the complications that go with it. How will I deal with pain? What if they do not find a liver in time? What will my life be like after a transplant? When will it happen? How long will the new liver last? How will I take care of my family? I am usually not afraid until I have these discussions.

I do have a couple of real fears. One is a lifelong fear of vegetables. I am working out a comprehensive anti-pea theology. Be watching your bookstore for my new book "Vegetables: The Root of All Evil." I am also afraid of birds. I realize that if you know me, you are now thinking “how can someone so big be afraid of these cute little creatures?” My response is it’s their fault. Those flying vermin have actually been flying into me all my life. Sure, it is possible they have mistaken me for a tree, but that’s just an excuse. It also does not explain using me as a frequent bombing target. Yes, you are right … I have far too much time on my hands.

However, I do have a light sprinkling of intelligence. I am aware of all these questions and more. It is natural for us to be afraid of certain things.

· Uncertainty and things we can not control can haunt us at night.
· The unwanted guest of pain that won’t go away.
· The fear of not being able to protect and provide for our family.
· We can fear the chilling winds of loss.
· What am I missing out on now and in the future?
· The fear of being drained of purpose, especially when surrounded by limitations.

When all these things attack us at once, we can gradually hear the chorus of “what if…” echoing in our souls.

I have found one of the weapons that God has given me to help me conquer my fears is laughter. I do not mean an empty-headed silliness that is oblivious to everything around me. This is the laughter of rejoicing in God. It is delighting in who He is and what He has done. It comes from the anticipation of God’s certain victory over Satan, pain and suffering, and even Death itself.

This is the laughter of knowing that God completely out-matches anything that marches against my life. I can not be afraid of an enemy that is already defeated. This is the laughter of the victim that moves from the vanquished to the victor.

Christian apologist and teacher Ravi Zacharias posed this question: “What would you do to frighten Lazarus after he had been raised from the dead?” Do you think that reality might impact his daily life?

Eugene O’Neal wrote a play entitled “Lazarus Laughed.” In the play, the Roman Emperor Caligula is rounding up and persecuting Christians. One day, Lazarus is brought before Caligula. Lazarus is told he must denounce Christ or he would be tortured and killed. And Lazarus laughed. This, of course, infuriated the man who believed himself to be a god and the most powerful man on earth. He said “one more laugh out of you, Lazarus, and you’re dead.” Lazarus doubled over with laughter. When he caught his breath he said, “Caligula have you not heard death is dead…DEATH is DEAD.” It is hard to threaten one who has already been there and knows the One who let him out.

Paul said it this way in I Corinthians 15:56-58: "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

Death is Satan’s ultimate weapon of mass destruction. What he does not know is that it has been disarmed. Death has no power, sting, no ability to threaten me. Jesus gave His life so I do not have to be afraid. Satan has sent his giant death to challenge me, but his weapon is useless. So I laugh and I am steadfast, immovable, and victorious!

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

Death has no claim on my future and my present days are guarded by the Lion of Judah. I am a dead man living. I do not have to be afraid because my life is His. All else is insignificant in the presence of the living God. He is my life, deliverer, and the lover of my soul. My spirit soars and laughs in total dependence on Him. Just like a child throwing himself in the air knowing that the loving arms of his father await.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day .For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18

I need not be afraid of new complications, side effects of drugs, or painful procedures. Against the backdrop of eternity these are but droplets of inconvenience. I am not always strong, faith-filled and eternity-focused. I fix my eyes on the One who is all powerful, always faithful and eternal. None of my trouble is any trouble for Him. Because of Him, I am not afraid.

Don Wyrtzen wrote these lyrics:
When engulfed in the terror of temperas seas
And before you unknown waves roll
End of trials and destiny
Fear and conflict cease your soul

Just think about when you stepped ashore and found it heaven
A hand touches your hand and you find it your Savior's
Breathed new air and find it celestial
Walk in Glory and find it home!

I can only imagine. Some day soon we will meet again either here or on heaven’s shore. You will recognize me either way, I’ll be the one laughing and saying I told you so.

No Fear in Christ,
Dan