The Tunic (part 23)

(The Tunic is a fictional story based on the Passion of Jesus. The story began on post March 18, 2019.)

  Livia did her best to smile as she walked with Cato inside.  She wondered if Mary, Martha, and Lazarus would still be willing to help them after seeing Cato draw his sword. She didn't even want to think what might have happened.  "Everyone,  I would like you to meet my husband Cato. Cato this is Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha."
  Lazarus quickly stepped forward.  "I apologize for our unannounced visit.  We mean no harm.  In fact, just the opposite, we would like to help you and your family."
  Cato quickly glanced at Livia.  "Cato," Livia began, "Cato this is the Lazarus.  The man Jesus raised from the dead.  They are close friends of Jesus. Cato....they want to help us.....they have a plan." Then very quietly Livia added, "They know everything.  I told them about the tunic."  Livia could see Cato's face turning red as he forced himself to control his anger.  "Cato, please don't be angry with me. They are very good people.  If you would just talk with them.  They could teach us so much about Jesus. They want us to be followers of Jesus with them."
  "Martha, why don't you and Mary talk with Livia and Remus outside for a bit. I think it would be best for Cato and I to speak in private."
  "Yes, of course.  We will just be outside."
  After everyone stepped outside Lazarus said, "Cato I realize it would be difficult to trust a complete stranger. Perhaps it would be better if you got to know me first.  Let's sit down and talk.  Please, ask me anything."
  Cato ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He didn't know why Livia would have put the whole family in danger.  This is not how he had expected things to go tonight.  He just wanted to get on the road.  He had no time for conversations.  Cato looked at Lazarus and sized him up.  He honestly did not look dangerous.  He seemed very calm.  Cato let out a big sigh.  He shook his head back and forth as if he was telling himself not to do this. Then the question he had wrestled with for weeks bursted out of him,  "Did you actually die?"
  Lazarus eyes widened and his lips tightened and he slowly nodded his head up and down.  "Cato let me try to explain what I experienced.  I do remember being very sick.  I remember having the fever for many days. I remember being very weak...and then.....I felt as if I was not physically connected to my body anymore.  I remember being in a place I had never seen before.  I wasn't in pain anymore.  I wasn't afraid. I just felt like I was waiting for someone.... I can't explain it, but I knew Jesus was coming.  He was going to meet with me soon.  I didn't feel anxious or scared.  I was totally at peace.  I had no concept of time.  I didn't even care. I was completely happy.  
  And then, I heard His voice, 'Lazarus come out!' A jolt of energy ran through me and suddenly I was conscious of my body again.  However, I was very confused.  For some reason, I was all wrapped up.  I couldn't understand why I was wrapped up. I didn't even know where I was.  Next I sensed a bright light filling the room. I tried to make sense of why my head, feet and hands were all bound up. Instinctively I just walked toward the sound of Jesus' voice. 
  I heard Jesus say, "Untie him and let him go." I had no idea why I was tied up. I felt someone pull the cloth from my head. The light was so bright I could not even focus at first, but I could hear.  
  I could hear so many familiar voices screaming and cheering, 'He's alive!  Lazarus is alive!'  Within seconds I could feel Mary and Martha's arms wrapped around me.  They were laughing and crying and praising God all at the same time.  I actually did not even understand what was happening at first.  I didn't know I had died. I didn't know I had been in the tomb for four days.  This crowd of family and friends which were gathered before me had witnessed my death, my burial, and my rising."
  Cato listened very intently.  "Why did He not save you before you died?"
  "Jesus wanted everyone to witness the glory of God! He wanted everyone to understand and believe that He was sent from God! No mere man could bring life back to a corpse. Jesus told Martha this, 'I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.'  Jesus is God's Son!  Death has no hold on Him!  He, himself, has risen from the grave! I believe that with all my heart! Jesus is the risen Lord, the Messiah! He has asked us to share this good news with everyone!  This is my mission--our mission, we must tell the world about Jesus!"
  Cato was deeply moved listening to Lazarus.  He had heard this story from countless others, but never quite like this.  This was not just a story. This was a personal testimony of truth! Cato was beginning to understand why Livia was so trusting and then--Cato's heart sunk very low. "I am a terrible sinner.  I helped crucify Jesus.  I rolled dice to win His tunic.  I am not worthy of His promises."
  Lazarus smiled.  "None of us are worthy of His love or promises, but Jesus offers us His forgiveness so that we may continue to grow in love and share His love with others. Before they removed the wrappings from my head, I was blind to the miracle he was working in my life.  Now my eyes have been opened, my heart beats to the sound of His voice, and I will follow Him wherever He calls me to go.  You were blind to His love until you saw it reflected in your son and wife.  You, too, were a corpse, but now, He is calling you to a new life. I know this may be very dangerous for you, that's why we want to help.  We have a plan."
  Lazarus and Cato continued to talk for a long while.  Lazarus explained to Cato how they could hide in the cave at the back of their property until it was safe. Cato and Lazarus discussed a use of different signals which would alert Cato to any danger.  Lazarus promised he could bring them food and also that he would discuss getting Cato, Livia, and Remus baptized with Peter and John.
  Cato was feeling very hopeful with this new plan. He looked at Lazarus very seriously and asked, "Why would you do all this for us?"
  "Because we are brothers and sisters in Christ now.  God is our Father.  We are His children. We must love the way Jesus loves. If I demonstrate with my own actions how to love like Jesus, I hope to inspire you to do the same. Once you are baptized, you will receive His Holy Spirit. This powerful love of His Spirit will change you--if you allow it.  One by one we will inspire others to join us, to live in the Kingdom of God right here on earth.  A kingdom not of wealth or power, but a place where the love of God is visibly seen in the heart and mind and actions of all. I do not see you as a Roman soldier or a sinner, but as my brother in Christ."
  For a few moments both men remained silent.  Cato had never had someone unselfishly reach out to him like this before.  There was something so different about Lazarus.  His physical appearance did not boast of strength, but his words spoke volumes to his inner strength and trust in Jesus.  Cato was beginning to understand why Livia felt safe to confide their secret to this family of three.
  "Lazarus, I do not even understand everything that I am feeling right now, but I know something inside me has changed.  I am tired of the violence and turmoil in my life.  I have been longing for something different.  I knew something was missing in my life, but I didn't know what that something, or more accurately, that someone was.  I want to know Jesus.  I want to be a part of this kingdom you describe.  I want my son to have peace and love in his life.  I don't want him to reach for a sword as easily as I do." Cato quickly brushed away a tear of regret.  "I would very much like to accept your proposed plan.  I would like to learn how to love as Jesus does. I would be grateful if you could continue to teach me and my family."
  Lazarus smiled.  "Come on, let's go tell the women.  We can all help carry your belongings."
  Cato stepped outside and was greeted by Livia's gaze.  Cato looked deeply into those eyes he loved so much and reached out for her hand. "Livia, I have accepted Lazarus' generous plan.  Our lives are about to change forever.  Are you ready for this?"
  Livia threw her arms around Cato with delight. "Yes! I have everything packed!"
  That night Cato, Livia, and Remus walked away from their former lives in search of Jesus.  Cato found this new journey to be more rewarding than he had ever imagined.  After two years of hiding,  Cato, Livia and Remus were baptized.  It was a day of great joy for all of them. When Cato emerged from the water he tightened the belt around his tunic and remembered the tunic he had won that fateful day. Cato now realized what an incredible gift he was given. Through Jesus' death on the cross he was given a new life. A life of love, peace, forgiveness and eternal salvation. Filled with His Holy Spirit, Cato, Livia, and Remus spent the rest of their lives thanking and praising Jesus! 

-Susan