By: Obed Pineda
When one takes a moment to observe how much impact the ancient Greek culture still has in our modern civilization, it becomes evident why some refer to this old society as the “Cradle of Wisdom” or the “Cradle of Thought.” Observe that their influence can be found in the mathematical formulas we use like the Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2), in novels that have been inspired by literature like Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, and even our current vernacular is filled with several words that were simply transliterated (words spelled with the letters of another alphabet) from the old Greek, such as “biology” or “telephone.” There is no denying that the influence of ancient Greece still lingers today, especially in the realm of entertainment via the silver screen. The recent boom of comic book superheroes transitioning to live-action films due to the lucrative gain they have produced Hollywood is yet another example of the Greek impact. The reality of this is proven in the fact that the majority of the modern mythos gracing the movie theaters, is in actuality ancient Greek mythology redressed. The spark of imagination that Greek mythology ignites in people’s minds has not been exclusive to our recent times. History reveals that during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance a profound interest in alchemy rose from the mythological tale of Panacea; the Greek goddess of healing. Alchemy was the precursor to chemistry during the Dark Ages that concentrated around the idea that base materials could be transformed into gold with the “philosopher’s stone.” The alchemists who practiced this type of occult science also sought to finally find the elusive “elixir of life” that was rumored to provide eternal life. This elixir that alchemists obsessed in creating led them to zealously seek a “cure-all” remedy that could heal any and every infirmity. This potion would eventually be known as a panacea. This Greek word translates to “all-healing” which explains why the mythological goddess was given that name as well. However, because no such concoction was ever triumphant, the term panacea transformed into a caustic remark dismissing the concept of a total solution to any problem. There is a common thread that can be followed from the Greek mythos of Panacea to the absurd attempts of alchemists in making a cure-all potion; mankind has always been consumed with attaining everlasting life. The irony of this revelation is that God has already provided man with the panacea of life; Jesus the Christ. After learning about the illness of His friend Lazarus, the Great Physician declared, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” and remained in the city where He was two additional days, instead of going to Bethany (John 11:1-6). In that time span, Lazarus succumbed to death from his sickness, and the Lord then decided to go and “wake him up” (John 11:7-14). Admittedly, on the surface level it seems as if the Lord made an error by stating that Lazarus would not die from his infirmity, since he actually did die from it. His decision to remain two extra days where He was and not go immediately to heal Lazarus is also a bit perplexing. Yet, Christ’s words and intentions are resplendently illumined when He tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:25-26)? After speaking with both, Martha and Mary, the Master proceeded to the tomb of Lazarus where He commanded “Lazarus, come forth! And he who had died came out” (John 11:43-44). True to the words He uttered previously to His twelve, Jesus was glorified by many of the Jews who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus because they “believed in Him” (John 11:45). It must be understood that the Lord Christ was always speaking about spiritual life and death, and not terrestrially. Had Lazarus not been risen from the grave, the Savior was assuring Martha and Mary that Lazarus had secured eternal life because he had died faithfully, never doubting Him. Remember that Jesus stated to His disciples “Our friend Lazarus sleeps” (John 11:11). The peaceful state of Lazarus after leaving this world mentioned by the Lord confirms that he had been faithful until death (cf. 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18). It also verifies the type of death Jesus is referring to when He proclaims that whoever “believes in Me shall never die.” The same apostle John who scribes about this event, explains “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). In that same vision, the beloved apostle then sees “Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15). The inspired Paul corroborates John’s conclusion as he explained to the church in Rome, “do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5). Behold the promise of Jesus Christ unveiled! The panacea of life provided to mankind by God has been, is, and will always be Jesus Christ. The Jews, too, were not exempt from searching the answer of how to obtain eternal life, for Luke writes of “a certain ruler [who] asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life” (Luke 18:18, addition mine)? Lamentably, like all else who have failed in finding this “elusive” answer, the Jewish ruler did so as well because he was not satisfied with Christ’s response (cf. Luke 18:19-23). The same was true of the Pharisees who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead and could not deny His claim to come from God (cf. John 11:46-48). Despite our Redeemer’s outstanding proof that He is truthfully “the resurrection and the life” the Holy Spirit declares that “from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death” (John 11:25, 53). Ergo, God has already given man the true panacea for everlasting life, but he constantly fails to recognize it because he chooses to keep the blindfold on (cf. 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4).