Apostolic Age (1st century)
Feast: December 17
Dead for four days, wrapped in burial cloths, sealed in a tomb — and then Jesus shouted his name and he walked out.
The shortest verse in the Bible — 'Jesus wept' — happens at Lazarus' tomb. Jesus knew what he was about to do. He was about to raise his friend from the dead. And he cried anyway. That detail tells you something about the friendship. Jesus loved this family in Bethany. He stayed at their house, ate their food, argued with Martha about the dishes. When Lazarus got sick, the sisters sent word: 'Lord, the one you love is ill.' Jesus deliberately waited two extra days before coming. By the time he arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha met him on the road, grief and faith tangled together. Mary collapsed at his feet weeping. The crowd was watching. Jesus went to the tomb, ordered the stone rolled away over Martha's practical objection — 'Lord, by now he smells' — and shouted: 'Lazarus, come out.' And he did. Wrapped in grave cloths, blinking in the daylight, alive. The miracle was so public and so undeniable that the chief priests started plotting to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. Tradition says Lazarus eventually fled to Cyprus, where he became bishop of Kition (modern Larnaca). He reportedly never smiled again after his resurrection — having seen what he saw on the other side.