Megabit 17 — March 26

Lazarus, the Friend of Jesus

Today we remember Lazarus, who was a special friend of Jesus. Lazarus had two sisters named Mary and Martha, and Jesus loved all three of them very much. They loved Jesus too, and they followed Him and did good and kind things for Him.

One day Lazarus became sick and died. His friends were very sad, and they wrapped him gently in soft cloths and laid him in a tomb, a stone resting place for someone who has died. Four days went by. That is a long time!

Then Jesus came. He went to the tomb and called out in a loud voice. The Bible tells us the words He said:

Lazarus, come forth!— John 11

Come Forth!

And do you know what happened? Lazarus came out of the tomb, alive again! He was still wrapped in the soft cloths, with the cloths around his hands and feet and face, and yet he was able to walk out. Only God can give life back like that.

Jesus let everyone see Lazarus come out still wrapped up, so that no one could ever doubt it. They all knew Lazarus had really been dead, and now he was really alive. Everyone could see that Jesus is God, and that God can do anything.

This story fills us with hope. Jesus is stronger than sickness, and stronger even than death. He loves His friends, and He takes care of them. Many years later, when Lazarus was old, he died again in peace, and we remember him with joy today.

Theocritus, the Brave Young Reader

On this day we also remember a brave young man named Theocritus (say it: thee-OCK-ri-tus). He lived in the city of Rome, and he was a reader in the church, which means he helped by reading the holy words aloud for everyone to hear. He was only fifteen years old.

In those days, some powerful people wanted everyone to bow down to statues instead of to God. They tried to make Theocritus do this, but he loved God with his whole heart, and he would not. He bravely said that he belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wicked men were unkind to Theocritus because he would not stop loving God. But God watched over him again and again. Once, an angel of the Lord opened the locked doors so Theocritus could come out, and he took the gold from the statues and gave it all to people who were poor and hungry. Another time, lions were let loose near him, but the lions only came gently and licked his sore places, as if to comfort him! God is always stronger than anything that wants to hurt us.

In the end, Theocritus stayed true to God all the way to heaven, never letting go of Jesus no matter what it cost him. A kind bishop named Emerianus and a great crowd of friends walked beside him, praying with him. Theocritus was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

I bring offerings unto my Lord Jesus Christ.— Saint Theocritus

More Friends of God We Remember Today

Today the Church also remembers some other holy friends of God. There is Gregory, who fought the good fight for his faith; Talasius and Joseph the Bishop, who served God faithfully; and we remember Nikor, a high priest, whose body was carried to a special resting place.

We also send a greeting to Abba Garima, a holy man who long ago appeared to a man named Melimo at two quiet monasteries called Dabra Dekhukhan and Dabra Kananmo. A monastery is a peaceful home where people pray together and love God.

We thank God for all of these faithful friends. They each loved God in their own way, and they help us by praying for us. We ask them to pray for us all.