The fact that this dramatic story is reported in only one Gospel,
is an immediate challenge to our belief in its veracity.
It seems more likely that this is a concoction
of the author's, or another's, imagination,
based, perhaps, on a similar occurence.

Much discussion can centre around the delay before Jesus responds.
Yet it would seem that his movements were constrained
by the events planned by others on Palm Sunday.
His entry to the city had to coincide
with that of Imperial authority,
though at another gateway.

The story is blatantly unsound.
It can easily be reimagined to paint another similar, picture.
Seemingly The Way of Jesus has been compromised, in Jerusalem.
The local leader, Lazarus, has "died to faith", lost his faith in Jesus,
his sisters,Mary and Martha, remain committed and call for help.
Before his planned entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday,
Jesus expended a day re-energising his followers,
resurrecting the faith of the group's leader.

The scriptural interpretation can be seen to have been formed
by the spiritual need of the redactor to paint his picture of a miraculous event.
However, the "miracle" is more practical than we are led to believe.
The faith of Lazarus is revived, rather than his body,
pointing the way to a similar revival
following the Crucifixion.

But what is the message?
Perhaps that it is up to each of us
to watch over the faith of our leaders,
and challenge them when they lose the plot.

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