The Spirit That Moves Mountains

Lazarus - Chapter 24

Lazarus arose at dawn the day after he returned to his body. He still felt very energized and refreshed from his experience. He felt all around his body to see if there was anything missing, rotting, or out of sorts. He felt nothing wrong and smiled.

He had a very strong urge to connect back to the spirit side and decided to sit up and meditate. Lazarus instantaneously connected back to the same state he'd experienced when his body had passed away. He felt engulfed in a larger space of love and peace. An enormous smile broke out on his face. A part of his mind realized that even though he was back in a body, he still retained full memory of what it was like to be spirit. He felt completely safe and loved.

Lazarus sat in meditation for over an hour until he sensed others were getting up around him to start the day. He kept his eyes closed while he listened to the sounds around him.

Eventually, Martha stirred. With a few moans and groans, she got up from her sleeping alcove and walked to Lazarus. "My brother, you are up. Let's get you some food."

Lazarus slowly opened his eyes, smiling at his sister. "I love you so much, my dear sister. Thank you for the love that you have always shown me."

Martha started crying. Her normal businesslike self crumbled immediately as she walked over, bent down, and embraced her brother. "I love you so much, my brother. What a gift from God to have you back with us. I hope you will be here forever and ever."

Lazarus laughed. "We shall see about that. If you could only understand what it's like on the other side—my God, I cannot describe it." He looked off into the distance with a dreamlike stare.

"Well, maybe you could try over some food. Come; let us prepare a meal for you and the others." Martha took his hand and led him to the gathering alcove of the home.

As the others were waking they came into the room to help prepare food, wish each other good morning, and check in on Lazarus. Mary and Jeshua were the last to enter the room, looking very refreshed and holding hands.

Over breakfast, the Jeshua party decided to take the day to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. Thomas was already distributing wine, and all partook.

Throughout the day, many of Lazarus's friends and family came knocking on the door. They were respectful and came in very small groups, so as to not overwhelm him or, most importantly, Martha.

Each time the door opened, the group gathered inside the home could also see a gathering of curious people looking in, trying to get a glimpse of Lazarus and Jeshua.

At one point Martha stepped into the street to usher off the onlookers, commenting on how improper it was to look into people's homes when they were not invited.

One individual did not scurry off after Martha's prompting. Most likely he was a spy for the Pharisees or the Sadducees. This man strained his head to get a peek inside the home. When Martha was minding some of the other onlookers, he approached the entrance of the home.

The man wore a head covering that obscured half of his face, but the other half revealed a fairly young man who could barely grow facial hair. He poked his head inside the front entrance of the home and peered inside. "Excuse me, is there a Rabbi Jeshua of Nazareth and Lazarus of Bethany in this home?" he asked, looking at Thomas.

Thomas sized up the young man in an instant and recognized the robes of the Pharisees' apprentice. Weary of his presence, Thomas asked, "What do you want here?"

"Thomas, it is OK," Jeshua answered. "Young brother, you have found those that you seek."

"Rabbi Jeshua?" he asked, boldly stepping one foot into the home. "Is that you?"