Come Forth

The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle

James Martin

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Year: 2023
• ISBN:
  9780062694430
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

"James Martin—arguably our greatest writer-priest—has penned a genius meditation on the Raising of Lazarus. I came away with a renewed hope that grace alone can call me out of whatever tomb I've buried myself in." —Mary Karr, author of The Liar's Club and Lit: A Memoir

One of America's most beloved spiritual leaders and the New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Learning to Pray examines one of the most intriguing events in the New Testament—the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead—and explains its significance for us today.

This paperback edition of Come Forth includes a foreword written by Pope Francis.

In this wise and compassionate book, Father James Martin, SJ explores the story of Jesus's greatest miracle—the raising of Lazarus from the dead—and what Jesus means when he calls each of us to "come forth." Meditatively and carefully, Martin leads us verse by verse, offering profound reflections on Jesus's lessons on love, family, sadness, frustration, fear, anger, freedom, and joy. Come Forth combines:

• Compelling analysis of the biblical text
• Insights about the historical setting of the story
• Spiritual lessons for today's readers
• Meditations on Lazarus in art and the larger culture
• Stories from Martin's travels through the Holy Land

As he explores these strands in depth, Martin helps us let go of the limiting beliefs that prevent us from experiencing God's presence in our lives. We need only to open ourselves to the transformative story of Lazarus and trust that God can use it to free us to experience, like Lazarus, new life.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• The Raising of Lazarus
• 1. Al Eizariya: An Introduction
• 2. A Certain Man: Did Lazarus Exist?
• 3. He Whom You Love: Jesus, Friendship, and the Beloved Disciple
• 4. Jesus Loved Martha and Her Sister: What Can We Know About Mary and Martha?
• 5. Two Days Longer: Why Does Jesus Wait?
• 6. Let Us Go to Judea Again: John’s Gospel and “the Jews”
• 7. So That You May Believe: Understanding and Misunderstanding Jesus
• 8. If You Had Been Here: Disappointment in God
• 9. You Are the Messiah, the Son of God: Who Is Jesus?
• 10. When She Heard It: Waiting, Patience, and Growth
• 11. She Knelt at His Feet: Is Everyone Wrong About Mary?
• 12. See How He Loved Him: Why Does Jesus Weep?
• 13. Take Away the Stone: Turning Away from the Negative
• 14. Father, I Thank You: Jesus’s Prayer and Ours
• 15. Lazarus, Come Out!: Dying to Self and Finding New Life
• 16. Unbind Him: Believing in the Promise of New Life
• 17. Come Forth!: A Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• For Further Exploration
• About the Author
• Praise
• Copyright
• About the Publisher