We are in heaven. We've been there ten thousand years, bright-shining as the sun, and just coming into our stride on the worship front. The worship leader just happens to be Charles Wesley (all the good ones lead it on rotation, and we move from hymns to Scripture-in-Song to Way-Maker and the Blessing and back again without skipping a beat).
Charles's voice booms out, "Tonight I thought we should focus on the resurrection. Let's praise Christ as the one who broke the power of death through His glorious resurrection!"
Wild applause erupts, and we are soon belting out, "Up from the grave He arose". After a few more old-faithfuls, the focus of our worship is interviewed and then invited to say a few words in response to our adoration. Christ begins . . .
"Charles, you rightly point out that I conquered death, and a lot has been said and sung about my victory, and of course, your praise is sweet music to my ears. But it got me thinking about a few people you may have overlooked when considering the resurrection."
"Overlooked?" murmurs Charles. "People?"
"Yes, People!"
"But, my Lord. With Respect, your all-sufficient sacrifice, none can add to or subtract from . . ."
"Yes, my son. You are again correct, but I would like to call a few people up from the crowd who helped me along."
The heavenly throng lets out a communal gasp that, due to their multitudinous number, can be heard galaxies away.
Undeterred, Christ's melodious voice rings out . . .
"Enoch!"
"Abraham!"
"Miriam of Zarephath!"
"Lazarus of Bethany!"
The four find the way to the platform . . .
"Of course, there are more", He says as he clasps Enoch's hand, "but you began things". You reached for life and drew it into your family when that great enemy, Death, was wreaking havoc in the world around you. You appropriated so much life that death became an impossibility."
"You were the first in history to cheat him of his prey! What's more, all that life spilled-over into your family so that your son Methuselah outlived all before and after him, and your great-grandson's family lived on when all others on earth perished."
"I beat the greatest enemy for good, but the first round went to you!"
The crowd cheers in exaltation, as Christ turns his attention to Abraham.
"My son, my request of you perplexed your heart and nearly broke it, but your faith prevailed."
"You found an answer for your wife, your servants and yourself in the darkness that night. I remember you repeating those words to yourself in the darkness, 'We will worship, and then we will come back'. And in finding those words you drew forth out heaven a possibility."
"Death could be defeated! You knew that before it even had a name (resurrection) and before it had ever occurred once on the earth! And I used the substance of a possibility within your heavenly imagination to defeat death, once and for all."
That is faith, folks. Well done!"
Applause erupts, and hearty foot-stomping resounds as heaven celebrates a favourite.
Christ smiles and moves on . . .
"Miriam of Zarephath, it took a woman to make it actually work!"
Laughter echoes around the huge amphitheatre.
"Begging your pardon, Lord", she stutters.
"But I think you may have made a mistake."
"Me? A mistake?" He looks out over the crowd with a grin and cries out with a smile in his resounding words, "Am I making a mistake?"
"I mean, Elijah. My Lord."
"Oh, let's not worry about him tonight, dear one."
"He had enough attention a hundred and three years back. He didn't know he could do the whole resurrection thing. Your faith saved your son from starvation the first time when you obeyed with the flour and oil. The second time was something else indeed. You accused the prophet of murder! You spurred him to face the impossible.”
“He passed that accusation on to me, but there was something in your humility and faith at that moment that split the heavens open so that your son could be placed back into your arms. The first resurrection, everyone!"
Christ holds her arm aloft and dances for joy by her side.
She grins and blushes in equal measure, retreating back to her seat.
"Finally, Lazarus. My dear friend in one life and then the next!"
The man looks up adoringly . . .
"Your role was a little indirect, more like an innocent bystander in private conversation between My Father and Me."
"Three days and three nights was a long time to be dead in Palestine. All the smell and decay were a lot to come back from, but you did it. The demons went after the weakness in your health, and Father used your illness and death to encourage me. You see, I was experiencing a niggle. Resurrection was a thing, but for it to take place after that long dead. It was unheard of, across all of history! I mentioned it to Father, you know, just in passing. Thankfully, He always gives me what I ask for, and next thing you are walking out of that cave looking like a forlorn bed-sheet!"
"Let's give it up, my dear friends, for the first one to go the distance!"
Acclaim for Lazarus lasts long and rings loud until all thoughts shift to centre on the One who stands now alone before us. And Easter Sunday concludes in the heavenlies as it does for us below, with our hearts full of Christ!