Have you thought much about Lazarus?

I haven't. I mean, I know the story of Christ raising him from the dead. I know he was Mary and Martha's brother. I know he was there when Mary anointed Christ's feet with oil. But, that's about it.

Joanna Weaver takes a closer look at Lazarus in her latest book, Lazarus Awakening. It's her third book in a series looks at each member of this family from Bethany.With each chapter, she takes a look at the next part of the story as told in the gospels. Weaver opens by reminding us that we do know little about Lazarus, except that he was one who Jesus loved. And, she reminds us that "when Jesus comes on the scene, what seems to be the end is rarely the end. In fact, it's nearly always a new beginning."

Weaver addresses the truth that life doesn't always look like what we expect. But, Christ came to make dead men alive, just as He did with Lazarus. We were made to live in fellowship with him.

I liked the chapter "When Love Tarries." Weaver addresses the part of the story when Jesus tarries to return to see His sick friend. She plainly addresses her desire - and mine - to want control of life. "Surrendering the quill of my will has always been a difficult process for me." She does a lovely job of addressing why and how we should wait for the Lord.

Weaver's look at the "tombs" we choose to live in caused me to think about the things in my life that keep me from trusting the Lord fully. Like Lazarus, He gently calls us to "come forth."

My favorite chapter is "Unwinding Graveclothes." Weaver discusses how we can walk alongside others - through prayer and action - to move them to the fullness of life Christ promises each of us. She includes in the appendix further "helpful hints" for serving others.

Finally, she challenges readers to live the joyful, resurrected life we're called to live in Christ.

The book also includes discussion questions and a list of additional resources.

I thought Weaver did an excellent job of unpacking the story of Lazarus. And, I'll never skim over Lazarus again.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.