Bible In Poetry: Gospel Of St. John (Chapter 11) Poem by Dr John Celes

A man called Lazarus was ill,
Brother of Mary, Bethany;
This Mary had anointed Lord’s feet
By perfumed oil, dried by her hair!

So, Mary sent word to Jesus,
‘Master, the one you love is ill.’
(Meaning her brother Lazarus)

When Jesus heard, then He remarked,
‘This illness isn’t to end in death.
But for the glory of God’s works
And that the Son be glorified.’

Now Jesus loved Martha, Mary
And Lazarus who’d fallen ill;
He went to Judea later;
His disciples told Him, ‘Rabbi,
The Jews had wanted to stone you,
You want to go back to that place? ’

Then Jesus answered, ‘Are there not
Twelve hours by day for one to walk?
None stumble then for world has light.
But when he walks alone at night,
He stumbles as he has no sight!

Then Jesus said, ‘Friend Lazarus
Has gone asleep, let me wake him.’
They said, ‘If he sleeps, he’ll be saved! ’
But Jesus talked of deathly sleep,
While disciples, of slumber deep.

Jesus told, ‘Lazarus is dead! ’
Let’s go to him that you believe.
So, Thomas said, ‘Let’s die with him! ’

When Jesus reached Lazarus’ house,
He had died four days earlier.
Bethany lay two miles away!

Some Jews arrived to comfort them;
When Martha heard Jesus would come,
She went to meet; Mary sat home.

Then Martha told Him, ‘Lord, if you’d
Been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.’
‘But even now, I know whatev’r
You ask of God, He will give you.’

Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise! ’
Martha replied, ‘Yes, Lord, I know,
He’ll resurrect on the last day.’

‘I am the resurrection, life! ’
Then Jesus said. ‘Whoev’r believes
In me, ev’n if he dies, will live!
And everyone who lives, believes
In me, will never die at all.
‘Do you believe this? ’ asked Jesus.

Then Martha replied, ‘Yes, my Lord.
I do believe you’re Son of God;
I know that you’re the Messiah,
The one who’s coming to the world!

She told her sister in secret,
‘The Teacher’s here and asks for you! ’
On hearing, Mary rose to greet.
But Jesus had not reached village.

When Mary saw Jesus, she fell
At his feet and said to Him, ‘Lord
If only you had been here then,
My brother would not be now dead.’

On seeing Mary and Jews weep,
Then Jesus perturbed, became sad.
He asked, ‘Where has he been entombed? ’

They said to Him, ‘Sir, come and see! ’
And Jesus wept while Jews all said,
‘Look, how He loved poor Lazarus! ’

But some remarked, ‘Could not the one
Who opened eyes of blind beggar,
Have done something to avoid death?

So, Jesus reached the place of tomb;
It was a cave with stone across;
Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.
Then Martha said, ’Tis four days now,
Should there a stench be, all around? ’

Then Jesus asked, ‘Did I not tell
If you believe, God’s glory’s seen!
Then Jesus raised his eyes to Heav’n,
And said, ‘I thank you Father, God.
I know You always have heard me,
I said so, that they may believe.’

And having said this, Jesus cried,
‘Lazarus, Come out! ’ in voice loud.
The dead man came with hands, feet tied,
With burial bands and face cloth-wrapped.
So Jesus said, ‘Untie him soon! ’

Now many Jews who had come there,
Began to believe in Jesus.
But some went to the Pharisees,
And told them what he ‘ad done that day.

So, they convened the Sanhedrin,
And said, ‘What do we do hence-forth?
This man performs so many signs.’
If we leave Him alone for now,
All will believe in Him and Rome
Will take away, our nation whole.’

But one Caiaphas, high-priest that year
Remarked, ‘You know not anything,
Nor do you consider better
That one man dies, not more people
And whole nation may not perish,
And gather dispersed God’s children.’

They planned to kill Him, from that day!
So, Jesus didn’t walk in public,
And left for Ephraim, desert-town,
And there He stayed with disciples.

The Jewish Passover was near.
Many came to Jerusalem.
They looked for Jesus everywhere
And wondered if He will ev’r come.

For, Pharisees and chief priests all,
Had given orders to inform,
If they should come across Jesus,
So that, they could arrest Him soon.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-24-2007