Lazarus was dead and our Lord Jesus wept,
But He told His disciples that Lazarus just slept.
The death of the body to Jesus was sleep
For the soul lives forever in His precious sheep.
The mourners were weeping,
They were all filled with gloom
And Christ too was troubled that day by the tomb.
For Lazarus had gone to a far better life,
A life free from sickness and pain, hate and strife.
Yet to show all God's glory, Jesus needed him here.
Lazarus had to come back so the truth would be clear.
And so Jesus wept as He called Lazarus out,
Back to sin, hate and evil and to pain and to doubt.
For Lazarus had seen just what joy lies in store
For those who by faith enter through heaven's door.
But the Master had called him, so Lazarus returned,
And the truth Christ was Savior, the people discerned.
The life-giving Savior before them did stand
And the might of His power they spread through the land.
And Lazarus who saw heaven's glory unfurled
Once more walked the paths of our sinful old world.
And that's why our blessed Lord Jesus did cry--
He had brought Lazarus back from the glory on high.

From the Gospel of John 11:1-45