When one opens the books of Matthew,Luke,Mark and John the parables are endless! Each writer picks something that resonates with them as a person and follower of Jesus. There are hints to the same story,like if you host a party and ask you guests to write about the event. Different stories will come out but there are things that remains a constant like cutting cake,the food that was eaten, what the host wore,the host’s speech…these are the parables!
If Jesus had been around in this day, he would have given Steven Spielberg & Denzel Washington a run for his money! Jesus tries to get his audience(whoever is around him and us who would later read the Bible) to understand such simple ways of living using examples that are mind-blowing! The parable of the sower, the parable of the talents, the Rich man who invited VIPs to a banquet, the list goes on and on. My favourite of course not a parable but a true story is Lazarus!! Some one run up to Jesus to tell him that Lazarus wasn’t well,he was dying;do you what Jesus does”
When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death; but [on the contrary it is] for the glory and honor of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”” — John 11:4
Then he stayed two more days. If this was a plot in a series, I would be up in arms like dude enough suspension. Wapi, Jesus was like next on Nazareth files , dum dum dum. What will happen to Lazarus? Will Martha and Mary ever see their brother? Will Jesus come in time? Stay tuned for the next episode. Then you wait and wait for the next episode. Friday night here you are, popcorn(check), glass of wine(check), tissue(check) yaka not beeping(check) 8pm, it starts previously on Nazareth files… Then we dive right in, Jesus with his disciples reach Lazarus’s house, Mary runs out to meet them and she’s like Lord,where you been? Lazarus is gone. She follow at his feet sobs. Awwwwww, you grab your tissue box and sob with her. Then Jesus feeling sorry for her asks, “where did you lay him?”Mary takes them to the tomb. Then Jesus begins to weep. Of course at this point as a viewer you are in ugly cry mode!
Martha is at the entrance of the door suckling, like how dare he come now? I thought he loved Lazarus. If he ask God anything now he would raise him. Jesus telepathically answers
“I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies;” — John 11:25
Jesus being deeply moved tells Martha, “Take away the stone!” Martha is like, Lord by now his body would have decomposed,it will be smelling!” Jesus turns looks at her, ” didn’t I say remove the stone!!” Martha knowing that obedience is immediate, calls her relatives they remove the stone. As a viewer here, you are already off your seat, eyes glued to the screen like what is He going to do? Then they go for commercial break. Nazareth files will be back after this break. Some boring advertisement of a guy sell Soya milk in the streets of Nazareth to people stuck in Jam, the donkeys have refused to move till they are feed some water the heat is too much. Then one of the riders buys a soya milk packet and feeds the donkey which starts moving…tag line refuel your donkey with SOYAMILK! Hahahahaha.
Break over,time to find out what happens next! They zoom in on the tomb, the stench is foul, everyone other than Jesus is covering their noses. Jesus, moves two steps towards the tomb ( viewer takes a sip of wine) then looks up to the heavens and says, ” Father, I thank you that you always hear me.” At this as a viewer, you know some supernatural stuff is about to bless your eyes! Jesus shouts, “LAZARUS COME OUT!” At this point you are off the seat, you don’t want to blink incase the supernatural happens and you miss it. Then hops out Lazarus, all bound up in clothe. Then Jesus turns to the sisters unbind him.
End of episode, credits come on screen and then a lady is announcing. Join us next week to hear Lazarus’s story of the days in the tomb. The viewer at this time is dumbfounded how, what, where? This is going to be the talk of the office for the next week. Then yaka starts beeping hahahahaha, back to reality.
I would give Jesus a lifetime Award for holding us in suspense, both as a director and Actor! Stay tuned for more NAZARETH FILES.
