One small hoax for man…

Death has dominated the headlines this week.

Michael Jackson’s death continues to haunt us as the media has focused on the custody of his children, his gold-plated coffin, and what to do with the million tickets sold for the 02 arena.

We have heard news of a senior soldier downed in Afghanistan, while swine flu statistics and reports that the virus could become uncontainable in August – with over 100,000 cases a day – bring the fear of death even closer to home.

Our Bible focus this week looks at death too: specifically the premature death of Lazarus and the premeditated murder of Jesus. These passages go hand in hand with what some would see as the hoax of resurrection and others see as the hope of resurrection.

The rumours of hoax and conspiracy have already begun to surround the death of Michael Jackson, and it is surely only a matter of time before someone reports seeing Jackson walking the streets of Neverland.

Some people still believe the moon landings were a hoax, and it does seem ironic that in a week that Michael Jackson’s autobiography Moonwalk is being sold on Amazon for £80 a copy, the papers are turning their attention to the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings.

In Jesus’ day, many people could not accept the reality of the death of Lazarus, and responded with their own conspiracy theories which led to their conspiracy to assassinate both Jesus and Lazarus. Even today some people still dismiss the resurrection of Lazarus and Jesus as an almighty hoax.

But the hope of the resurrection is as real as Mary and Martha’s tears, and the stench of Lazarus’ body rotting three days after his death in a hot climate. The hope of the resurrection is founded on Jesus’ mastery over life and death, when his voice commands Lazarus to make one small step for a man, and one giant leap for mankind.

A leap that blazes a trail for all of us who will one day receive a call from beyond the grave to meet the risen Jesus.

Krish Kandiah

http://krishk.wordpress.com/