Unexpected Legacies: Francine Rivers (The Last One)

Matthew J. Elliott

Imagine a world where a literary genre is filled with amazing examples of resilience and growth. Look for the profound messages struggling to connect with their audience. Embrace stories longing to find some way, not only to entertain, but to present a message readers can truly see. The struggle was real. There was a gaping hole that readers simply could not resonate with.

For a time, stories in the biblical fiction genre fit this description almost perfectly. Authors brought many ancient stories to life, but they lacked the depth that resonated with contemporary audiences. Masterpieces like “Ben-Hur” by Lew Wallace and “The Robe” by Loyd C. Douglass were limited. Then, Fracine Rivers came along and completely transformed the genre. She didn’t merely write best-selling books. She unexpectedly revived biblical fiction. This gave it a vibrant new look that resonated with readers and affected more people than she ever expected. 

Before Rivers came onto the scene, biblical narratives were brushed aside. They had limited visibility, and readers struggled to relate to biblical characters as human beings. Her talent for detailed research changed this, and their struggles found purpose. Each story she wrote is a thrilling adventure and reminds us of some of the most powerful messages of the Christian faith.

Image from Amazon

When she released what many claim to be a groundbreaking series in “The Mark of the Lion”, it was a tremendous success. The 1990s had no clue what was about to unfold. Set against the dramatic backdrop of a world filled with Roman persecution, the books beautifully explored tales of courageous characters like Hadassah. Readers were no longer trying to be entertained by these historical events; they were immersed in a world that they could experience. They could see and relate to the challenges and sacrifices of these historical characters. 

There was an authenticity behind the people she wrote about that was rich with the history of Biblical Fiction readers loved. She took it to a whole new level where human vulnerability and divine grace spoke to our hearts. Beyond this, Rivers extended her reach with projects like “The Sons of Encouragement” collection. This is where I came onto the scene. As a Biblical Studies major in college, I became obsessed with understanding the people who were living during the biblical era. In a class on the book of Hebrews, I was tasked with defending that a man named Silas wrote the letter, and I had no clue how to do it. 

From PressKit on Website

When I found “The Scribe,” which focuses on that very thing, I was stunned. It was one of the most impactful stories I had ever read. For countless young readers, it was just one of the many that opened up an entirely new world. These stories showed the genre’s capacity for deep spiritual and emotional connection to characters I never believed I would understand further. 

So, you may wonder why I am writing this article rather than starting my new series. Well, it’s because as a biblical fiction writer, she was the first author I felt I could truly relate to with my desire to write unexpected stories. Her dedication to historical accuracy echoes my own. I never wanted to simply write the facts; I wanted to make an impact, and her stories showed me I could. The meticulous research that is needed to do this is not a simple thing to accomplish. In writing these stories, Rivers had to understand the cultural and social contexts of the ancient world with the knowledge of a historian and the passion of a novelist. It goes beyond the allegorical messages that many felt were being published until she came on the scene. 

Rivers took a shot and bravely confronted the cultural norm about the complexities of Biblical history, and was not afraid to be honest about who these people were, human. Just like us, they were inherently flawed; they struggled with doubt and temptation. These people endured profound struggle and loss, and bringing this to life was no effortless task. The raw emotions these characters experience showed me, and so many others, that faith isn’t flawless; it is a lifelong challenge that transforms us all. This authenticity changed biblical fiction forever. 

Photo © Elaina Burdo on Website PressKit

Rivers’ most compelling impact was not in what she wrote or how she wrote it. It was her willingness to explore the more difficult aspects of humanity. The pain and suffering biblical characters experienced was real. She conveyed this beautifully. Readers in the world around her, myself included, were beginning to understand a deeper purpose to the stories we all grew up hearing. Her work inspired me to dig into the darker aspects of the human condition. Not to rationalize their pain, but to highlight God’s grace. Each story broke the boundaries they were tied down to. Her work shows that faith-based stories can be both spiritually uplifting and intellectually challenging.

The legacy of Francine Rivers is clear in the growing number of talented authors now telling interesting, biblical narratives. Each building on what writers like her laid the foundation for. Rivers didn’t just write books. She opened the door to a new era of biblical storytelling that is ever-changing. Today, those of us who continue her legacy strive to leave an enduring impact on all those who read our stories. 

Next month I will begin a new series entitled Echoes of Early Church Cities. It will focus on the history of cities from the New Testament and the impact they had on the world around them. If there is a particular city you are interested in learning more about, feel free to post your requests in the comments below.

See you in the pages,

M. J. E.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it for FREE on July 4th and 5th via Amazon. If you enjoy it please let me know by posting a review.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Unexpected Legacies: Linus, Clement, and the Torchbearers

Matthew J. Elliott

Robert Hubert - Great Fire of Rome 

The Great Fire of 64 AD in Rome was one of the most foundational events that led to the persecution that Christians of the Early Church faced. When the fire began, everything changed in the city of Rome. It was a devastating event that destroyed most of the city. Many believe that Nero himself may have been involved in starting the fire. The fire raged for days and consumed nearly three-fourths of the city. 

In the end, it was the Christians who were blamed. This resulted in a rise in persecution of the believers of the church there, and many were lost. Early church leaders such as Peter and Paul gathered teams of people, and they traveled to Rome. There, they began ministering to believers. Amid everything, people like Peter and Paul were doing in the city to further their faith, it seemed as if their faith would prevail. The reality of their situation, though, was that things only got worse. That faith they claimed would be tested in ways no one ever thought possible. Hope was a luxury that no one believed existed anymore. 

Believers were arrested, crucified, fed to dogs, and when death came upon them, they were burned; used as lights in the night. While I am not usually someone who likes to focus on the darkness the world has to offer, the events that took place in Rome after the great fire are some of the darkest moments I have ever researched. The early believers were hunted relentlessly for their beliefs, and there was no way out for anyone. Leaders like Peter and Paul fought for peace, only to find more pain and suffering. Believers who would, at one time, do anything for their faith abandoned it. The choices they had to make during this time of hatred were never easy. 

Catacombs Under Rome

As the different ministries of Peter and Paul continued to struggle, people like Luke, Silas, John Mark, and Timothy came behind them to offer aid. Together, these people did everything they could to encourage believers. To no avail, the struggle continued. Believers were forced to abandon the city, or hide in the catacombs under the city, when Peter and Paul were arrested. In time, as a Roman Citizen, Paul was beheaded under falsified evidence. Peter was later crucified upside down for the same reasons. All hope was lost; there was no one to take up the mantle of leadership in Rome. Those who normally would have, were too familiar with the Roman occupation to do anything purposeful, and they were forced to leave as well. 

Pope Linus Depiction

Rome’s scattered believers had to fight the battle for survival differently, from the shadows of destruction. A small, seemingly insignificant group of believers led by a man named Linus, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, takes up the silent mantle of leadership. While his story is not well known by any means, he would have had an important role in rebuilding the church after the death of Peter and Paul. Another man, whom Paul mentions in Philippians 4:3, named Clement, was appointed as the third bishop of Rome. Sources like Eusebius and Irenaeus have confirmed both of these individuals in the pattern of leadership. In the wake of loss, both of these individuals, and their co-laborers, stood with resilient faith that stood the test of time.

Their message is not the unexpected legacy today, though. The unexpected legacy lies in the faith of those resilient believers. Despite losing all hope, they found faith and placed their hope in a future that had been promised to them. They are the ones who carried on the teachings entrusted to Linus, Clement, and their Co-laborers, by those who came before them. The TorchBearers of the faith trusted in the unseen hope that was born out of the pain and suffering forced upon them by Rome.

I won’t spend very much time on this at all, but that is the message I was being taught as I wrote my upcoming novel, The Hope of Inheritance. While it only briefly mentions the leadership of Linus, every aspect of the novel is about the unexpected legacies the people of that time saw and experienced every day. Every “Unexpected Legacy” article I have written in the last year has the same roots. Pain comes, hope seemingly disappears, the struggle is lost, but something still remains in all of them. 

Resilience.

 

That, my dear friends, is what this series has been all about. Placing our hopes in the unseen promises that we are given in life. Whether it be through our faith, our struggles, our shame, or our joy. If I have learned anything as I have put every effort into my research for this series, it is this: history matters, and we all can learn from it. There are heroes and heroines hidden among all that history brings us, and they need a voice. I believe that is a voice that this blog provides. What about you? 

PS (This may be the end of The Unexpected Legacies series for now, but what would you like to see in my next series?

1. Historical articles on the cities and places in the Bible

2. The history behind the hymns of the old days

3. A continuation of this series

4. Something different

Share your answers in the comments below, and don’t forget to answer the other question too.)

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, is coming out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Famous Musical Instruments: King David's Harp

 

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Hello friends!

Today we are embarking on the first of a new series where we will talk about the most famous musical instruments in history. As a bit of a musician myself, I found this topic interesting, and I hope you do as well. 

The kinnor in a mosaic found in
 a synagogue in Gaza.
Circa 6th century A.D.
Public Domain.

When you read about King David in your Biblical fiction, what image comes to mind? A young shepherd? A mighty king, who also happened to be a skilled musician? And what about the instrument he's most famously linked with? 

His instrument is a harp, more specifically: the kinnor.

Now, the kinnor wasn't exactly the big, ornate harp we often imagine in Renaissance paintings. Think smaller, more portable – perhaps something like a lyre or a small handheld harp with around ten strings. Imagine the rich, resonant sound it would have made!

For the ancient Israelites, the kinnor wasn't just for entertainment. It was deeply woven into the fabric of their lives and especially their worship. The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David himself, were likely sung accompanied by the kinnor. In fact, some Psalms (such as Psalm 33:2) specifically mention giving thanks to God upon the kinnor. Can you just picture King David, pouring out his heart to God, his joys and his sorrows, with the strings of his kinnor echoing his emotions?  

Depiction of King David composing Psalms
By Gennadii Saus i Segura
Original from the Paris Psalter,
Public Domain

The Talmud relates a legend that King David hung a lyre above his bed. At midnight, a northernly wind would tickle the strings of the harp and awaken David. He would rise and study the Torah until dawn stole over the kingdom.

Beyond David, the kinnor held a significant place in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was one of the instruments played by the Levites during worship services, creating a powerful and moving atmosphere. Sadly, after the destruction of the Temple, the prominent use of the kinnor in Jewish life diminished.

Even so, the image of King David with his kinnor has endured through centuries. It symbolizes not only artistic talent but also a deep connection to God and the power of music to express faith. So, the next time you read about King David, let the image of his kinnor bring a richer understanding of his character and the vibrant musical traditions of ancient Israel. It's a beautiful thread in the tapestry of history, connecting us to a time long ago.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Unexpected Legacies: Simon Cyrene, The Cross-bearer

Matthew J. Elliott

Depiction of Simon of Cyrene 

The story of Simon of Cyrene is a significant telling of a man being forced to carry the cross of Jesus on the road to Golgotha. It was a road marked with suffering and pain for many. The way the story is told in scripture is no doubt one of the most important events recorded in the Gospels. However, we aren’t told who Simon of Cyrene was.

When most people think about Simon of Cyrene, all they see is a bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They see a man who was forced to give in to the pressure of Rome and serve them in this seemingly insignificant way. There is a deeper purpose in all of this, though, one that is not illustrated in scripture. Take a moment to imagine that you were the person forced to carry the cross. Would that not have a significant impact on you in more ways than one? That is the part of history that my imagination connects with in the stories I write. 

By exploring the Gospel accounts with their narratives, parables, and miracles; we can gain a deeper understanding of his character and message. In the Gospel of Matthew, we are told that Simon was ‘forced’ to carry the cross. In the Gospel of Mark, we learn Simon was ‘coming from another country’, showing that Jerusalem was not his home. Both of these details are important.

Luke comes in with even more details, stating that he carried the cross 'behind Jesus'. This suggests that Simon knew who Jesus was and that he respected him as a spiritual leader. When we go back to Mark, we are given one more detail that is important. 'Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.' This detail shows that Mark would have known who Simon was. Because of this, others would have known him too. Mark’s identification of him and his family contributes to this. 

Family history was important to a man’s identity and lasting reputation in the biblical world. It meant everything to the early believers. This matters because the Gospel of Mark was likely written in Rome. Since John Mark likely worked with Peter to write his gospel, they would have done so when the two of them were in Rome around 65 AD. Many believe, however, that the Gospel of Mark was written before this time. Maybe we can save that for another article, but the two Early Church leaders would have had to spend time together to write. 

Ruins in Antioch of Syria

In the book of Romans, Paul even mentions Simon of Cyrene’s son, Rufus and his Mother. This speaks to the idea that Simon was more than a bystander who was in Jerusalem on the day Jesus was being crucified. Paul and the Roman Church knew who Simon of Cyrene was because they knew who his son and wife were. Knowing how strong this possibility is, our cross-bearer must have had a bigger role in the Early Church. 

There is a story in Acts 13:1-3. In this chapter, we are introduced to four people: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger and Lucius of Cyrene, and then a man named Manaen. During this time, scripture states that these four men were set apart for the Lord’s work. There is more to the story, but for now, let’s focus on Simeon (also called Niger). Simeon is a Greek name, and Simon is the same name in Hebrew. From history, we already know that Simon of Cyrene was from Northern Africa because Cyrene is a city in modern-day Libya. So, it is plausible that Simeon, called Niger, and Simon of Cyrene, are the same person. 

The Simeon from Acts was a person of influence in Antioch in Syria. This is a city well-known in Biblical history. It was filled with a diverse population, and many missionary journeys began or ended there. While scripture does not completely verify the connection between these two men, it is a strong possibility that they are the same. This becomes even more of a possibility when we take a deeper look at how John Mark writes about them in his gospel. 

Depiction of the Cross-bearer

If there is something more to the connection between these two figures of the Early Church. This would mean that the man who was forced to carry the cross became something much more. The impact that the events of the crucifixion would have had on him would have opened the door for him. If you take this even further, it also shows how important his children became to the church in Rome as well. 

Simon’s legacy, built either by him or his sons, reminds us how unexpected legacies form. Even random acts of kindness, though forced, can have a deep and lasting impact on the world. Simon was at the very least an ordinary man who took up the cross when Jesus, in his humanity, needed help the most. While this act was forced upon him, he offered compassion when no one else would or could. Simon’s role in the crucifixion offers a message of hope and inspiration amid the suffering and injustice that Jesus experienced. 

The belief that even a common man, wrongly placed and timed, could still stand firm and believe in his purpose, is meaningful. His legacy invites us to reflect on how we can carry the cross, both literally and figuratively, into our own lives and communities. What do you think? Could Simon of Cyrene and Simeon called Niger have been the same person? 

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, is coming out on Father's Day.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together their Message will Speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Unexpected Legacies: Onesimus, The Resilient Slave

 Matthew J. Elliott

Catholic Image of Onesimus

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament has become the story of Onesimus and Philemon. As a young minister to families serving at a church in Arizona in 2015, I wanted to teach some of the lesser-known stories in scripture. My goal was to give them an introduction to all the Pauline letters and to teach them about the life lessons we can learn from each letter. With the letter to Philemon, I honestly struggled a great deal. The lesson in the story was about a slave who ran away from his master, and I did not know how I was going to teach that lesson to a bunch of children.

An interesting thing happened as I read the letter with the mindset that I had to find some type of lesson to teach the children for the next few weeks. I saw beyond the message of the runaway slave who found himself with Paul in Rome. The message that revealed itself to me was a message of love and forgiveness. It was a message of finding freedom in Christ and freedom from our past mistakes. That was a message I could run with and it turned out beautifully. Along the way, I became more and more curious about who Onesimus was and what the purpose of his story truly was. 

With that in mind, I decided to write a devotional study and release it to the world. The message I saw in this short, 25-word letter, was becoming something more than I ever thought it would be. In order to get down to the root of this study, I needed to figure out who Onesimus was, so I began my research. For many days, I continued researching and eventually wrote a short story about the man. He had become somewhat of an obsession and when the study failed out with a publisher; I put it on a shelf and forgot about it for several years. 

Early Painting of Colossae - Biblical History

Something in 2023 jogged my memory, prompting me to reread and continue my story. Amid a lot of changing avenues in my heart and mind, the story rewrote itself. By the end of the year, the story I had written in 2015 had become a full-fledged novel I named Finding Philemon. People asked why not Finding Onesimus, but it wasn’t really about who he was. The story was a message of hope and faith, forgiveness and grace. It was a story that I believed would help people see the Love of God during any situation. 

There is still so much we can learn about Onesimus. The transition of this runaway slave into a prominent early Christian leader offers both inspiration and food for thought. Seeking freedom from enslavement, Onesimus, a slave of Philemon in Colossae, fled his life. Within the Colossian church, Philemon was a highly regarded leader. Many believe that Onesimus stole something of great value from Philemon and ran to avoid dealing with the law. While on the run, he ran into Paul in Rome. Whether his Roman arrest resulted in imprisonment at Paul’s location is uncertain. 

All that we know about this time for both of them is that Paul and his companions ministered to Onesimus and at some point, he became a believer. This unexpected meeting would prove to be a turning point in Onesimus’ life. It became a transformative experience that would show Onesimus his identity and purpose in life. Encouraging and teaching Onesimus, Paul saw potential, yet realized his student’s past prevented advancement. With this mindset, Paul wrote a letter to Philemon explaining all the changes that had taken place within Onesimus and that he had become a brother in Christ. Knowing who Paul was, Philemon accepted Onesimus with open arms and their relationship turned into a ministry partnership. 

Depiction of Onesimus and Paul - Prison

The story of Onesimus does not end with his return to Philemon either. Various traditions offer a deeper story regarding his later life. Many of them suggest he became a leader in his own right and that his impact on the early Christian community was quite significant. He became the bishop of the church in Ephesus and there is support for this in some of the early Christian writings of Ignatius. This not only verifies that he lived on serving the early church, but it also shows how much of a crucial role he must have had. As a bishop, Onesimus would have been responsible for guiding and nurturing the entire Christian community at Ephesus. This is a testament to his growth and transformation.  

With his martyrdom reported in Rome between 105 and 109 AD, this would mean he was the bishop at Ephesus around the time that history places the Apostle John in Ephesus after his imprisonment on the island of Patmos. This shows that Onesimus lived longer than many other leaders of the early church and that he had served alongside many of them, too. The idea of Onesimus as a martyr speaks to his unwavering commitment to faith and a willingness to sacrifice everything for it. I believe his legacy is more about the transformation that took place in his heart along the way. We too can have that same legacy if we will embrace it. What do you believe his unexpected legacy is?

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

Finding Philemon, The Complete Limited Series is available this week for $9.99.

A Former Slave. His Emotional Journey. Searching For The Way Home.

Are you ready to dive into a captivating series that delves into the journey of a young runaway slave who discovers God in his quest for redemption? Finding Philemon is exactly that kind of series. Follow along on the unexpected journey as Onesimus embarks upon his path of faith and new beginnings.

Unexpected Legacies: Lazarus, The Resurrected Missionary

Matthew J. Elliott

Depiction of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus

One of the characters I researched for the novel I released in 2024, The Cyprus Journal, is Lazarus. In scripture, I know of only two people with that name; Lazarus from Bethany (John: 11:1–45), who was the man Jesus raised from the dead, and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:19–31), who is named in the parable of the Rich Man and the beggar. Both stories have a lot to tell us about unexpected legacies but for this article, Lazarus from Bethany is who I am writing about. 

In the story of Lazarus from Bethany, we know that he was a man Jesus knew well. There are several books out there dedicated to his sisters Mary and Martha. While I have not found as many books that speak to what happened to Lazarus after Jesus raised him from the dead, there are historical records out there that give us insight into what did happen. In the scriptures, we are told that Lazarus fell ill and was on the verge of death. When Jesus received word of his sickness he made his way to Bethany but by the time he arrived, Lazarus had already died. 

Raising of Lazarus

Despite everyone doubting the potential of what could happen next, Jesus called out to Lazarus and told him to come out of the tomb. To everyone's surprise, Lazarus emerged from the tomb alive and well. Thus giving Lazarus a significant place in New Testament History. This miracle is one of the most significant miracles that took place during the ministry of Jesus. It demonstrates the power over all things Jesus had and was a foreshadowing of his own resurrection. As I’ve already stated, it is what happened to Lazarus after the events of his resurrection that scripture does not tell us much about. 

While there is no further mention of Lazarus in the bible, there is further mention of his story in the catholic tradition that offers multiple accounts of where he ended up. Their traditions state that sometime after the resurrection of Jesus, Lazarus was forced to flee Judea because of a plot to take his life. Some believe that Acts 11:19 could have been the catalyst for his escape because once Stephen was stoned to death, persecution broke out everywhere and many departed for places such as the island of Cyprus. It is in Cyprus that the story of Lazarus of Bethany finds itself again.

During the first missionary Journey of Paul, he traveled with Barnabas and John Mark to the island of Cyprus. Lazarus was already in Cyprus at this time serving the church, and when Paul and Barnabas were there they appointed Lazarus as the first bishop of Kition. He lived there for 30 more years and was buried on the island after his death. While there, he continued to spread the teachings of Jesus and establish the church there. It is widely considered that when Barnabas and John Mark returned to Cyprus it was Lazarus who helped John Mark escape after the brutal death of Barnabas around 61 AD. 

Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca Cyprus

In Kition, (now known as Larnaca) the church of Saint Lazarus stands as a testament to the legacy he built there and has become a significant pilgrimage site. The story we can build from this information presents a dual legacy. In Jerusalem, we see the impact his miraculous resurrection had on the early church. In Cyprus, where he continued his ministry, we see a man who dedicated his life to the missionary work of the early church in a place that suffered from the persecution of a philosophical war that is documented in multiple places during the events of his time there. 

For early Christians, the story of Lazarus was a source of immense hope and encouragement. His ministry illustrated the power of faith and the promise of resurrection, which are cornerstones of the Christian belief. As he took what he was taught and guided the Christian community in Kition, he helped establish and strengthen the believers as they endured much hardship echoing the same kind of ministry of people like Peter and Paul. His life and the miracle of his resurrection are used in many of the teachings and sermons that are used today. This only stands to reinforce his unexpected legacy as a key figure in Christian History. What lessons do you see in his story?

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

The Cyprus Journal is Over 50% off right now! Have you grabbed Your copy?

One Young Man. His Significant Story. A Witness of the Early Church.

Many knew him as the young cousin to Barnabas the Encourager, the son of Mary who offered her home to honor the Savior and those who followed Him, or even the man who abandoned Paul on his First Missionary Journey, but there is more to his story. His story is one of new beginnings, a promise fulfilled, and a man who overcame fear of the unknown.