Lazarus Arise by Colonel Chuck Lehman gives life to the Biblical story of Christ bringing Lazarus back from the dead.
Y’shuah (Jesus’ Hebrew name) and Lazarus were boyhood friends in Nazareth. As teens they began working with their fathers; Lazarus as a builder and Y’shuah as a carpenter. Within a short period of time, both their fathers die and Lazarus and Y’shuah form a partnership and successfully support their families.
Y’shuah moves on to begin his mission as the Son of God. Before he leaves, Y’shuah tells Lazarus of his calling, that God is his true father, and that he is the Messiah of the Jews, but Lazarus finds it impossible to believe. Now without a partner, Lazarus finds work in Judea and becomes an accomplished builder. From time to time Lazarus and his sisters hear about Y’shuah and his work as a healer.
A splinter in his hand becomes infected and causes Lazarus great pain and eventually he dies from the wound. His sisters send for their friend Y’shuah and four days later he arrives and brings Lazarus back from the dead. Many witnesses see the miracle, but Lazarus is forbidden by the Sanhendrin Court to speak of it. He feels bound to tell the truth and is sentenced to death, but then given a reprieve if he promises not to speak of his resurrection. Lazarus witnesses Christ’s crucifixion and flees to Galilee to find work and to seek the freedom to tell the truth about Y’shuah and his own miraculous story.
Lazarus struggles to make a living when customers and suppliers are warned not to do business with him. In the meantime, he feels compelled to tell the truth; he cannot deny his resurrection.
Lazarus Arise is a fascinating and gripping story. Lehman’s research and knowledge of early first century AD is impressive as he follows the familiar Biblical account, filling in with plausible and realistic narrative and settings. The author’s details of period customs, building materials and tools used, and the strife between various warring factions are impressive. The book is available in print and e-format.
That sounds like a great story. It amazes me how authors can take the thread of real lives and weave a story so plausible that one believes if it didn’t happen exactly like that, it was close. For my writing, I have to stick to made up people.
This book is on my TBR shelf and I’m looking forward to reading it. I enjoyed meeting Chuck at an event in Spokane.