April 1, 2015 - Lazarus is sick

April 1, 2015

Lazarus is sick

“This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (Jn. 11:3-4)

“Lazarus is translated as ‘the one being assisted or helped’… Lazarus also means our own nature, which has the need of God’s help. For, when our nature was weakened by the sickness of disobedience, it fell into bed with the increase of sin and surrendered itself to the death caused by sins. This is also joined together with the teaching that Lazarus was the Lord’s friend, because Christ said to his disciples: “You are my friends” (John 15:13). There is also the saying in the Holy Scriptures that says that “well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Prov. 27:6). This allows us to understand that God is our friend and the wounds are pedagogic sorrows of the flesh that are given to us for the purpose of our salvation.”

Theophanes Kerameus
Sermon 25
The Resurrection of the Righteous Lazarus
From the book:
From the resurrection of Lazarus to the Resurrection of Christ,
Harmos Publications (Greek Text)

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