When we read the Bible, it’s easy to forget that these are historical accounts about real people. It’s easy to keep moving through the text, not considering that these people lived through the events recorded, had internal responses to what happened, and had to deal with the realities they created. Reading Scripture with this frame of mind helps us draw more out of the texts and better understand what’s going on. For example, I was reading a passage in the Gospel of John recently that made me stop and think:

John 12:1-2 NKJV:  Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  2  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

If we read back in John chapter 11, we find the account of Jesus raising His good friend Lazarus from the dead–an amazing miracle. In the very next chapter, Jesus goes to eat supper in Bethany where Lazarus lived. They both attend, and Lazarus ends up sitting at the same table with Jesus. Imagine for a moment what this meeting might have been like for Lazarus.

Lazarus had been four days dead in a tomb. By the will of God, Jesus called Lazarus back to the realm of the living, walking out again. Now, he sits at supper with the One who rescued him from the dead. What do you talk about? What sort of feelings might Lazarus have had toward Jesus? Gratitude? Awe? Love? How might their relationship have been different in light of what Jesus did for Lazarus?

Now consider this. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, we are commanded to examine ourselves when we partake of the communion of the Lord. We eat and drink with the Savior when we do, and we should remember what He did for us. Put yourself in the place of Lazarus. As we eat with Jesus, remember that He died on the cross to bring us back from the dead and give us spiritual life again. When we sit across the table, what do we say to Jesus? How do we feel toward Jesus? How should what He did change our relationship forever?

I challenge you to remember Lazarus this Lord’s Day when you commune with Christ.