This week’s “Come, Follow Me” reading in John 11 recounts the story of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead. As word of his friend’s sickness reached the Savior, He explained that the illness “is not unto death, but for the glory of God” (John 11:4). Upon His arrival at Bethany, Mary and Martha wept, declaring that if only Jesus had been there, Lazarus could have lived. Jesus wept with them. Then, with Mary, Martha, and a few disciples watching, Jesus thanked His Father in Heaven for hearing Him and then called out to Lazraus, bringing him back from the dead.
Though the miracle of Christ’s resurrection took place without any earthly witnesses, many have testified of it since, including the Nephites gathered at the temple in Bountiful. Christ invited those present to personally witness His wounds: “Arise and come forth that ye may thrust your hands into my side…that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:14). Though we may not see Christ physically, a similar affirmation can be given to us through the gift of the Spirit and personal study.
This painting by Matthew James Warren highlights the moment Christ appears to the Nephites and anticipates the tender period of time they would spend observing and learning from Him. Though the artist features the wounds of the crucifixion in the Savior’s hands, he emphasizes His living nature by showing Him in motion. The young Nephite boy in the center points toward Christ. By looking out at the viewer the boy invites us to look toward Christ as well.
-Lucy Lacanienta