Visibly upset and weary from their travels, the supporters reluctantly acquiesced and went with the men. They were not heard from again. Sometime later, Saul’s men divided the followers’ clothing and distributed it among the poor.

Unaware of any trouble, the young woman whose brother was dead led Peter to the mouth of a small cave. Several mourners were gathered there, weeping. The woman pushed through them and fell atop the rock rolled in front of the cave’s entrance.

“Lazarus! Oh Lazarus, my brother! Please return to me!” she wailed.

Peter dismounted and strode to where she stood. He motioned for the mourners and the crowd to step back. He then said, “I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, shall live again and never die.”

The woman gaped through tears and the crowd mumbled.

“I need strong men to roll back this stone,” Peter commanded. Five men leapt up and bent to the task.

As the stone began to move, the crowd drew back. Everyone pressed a palm to their face in anticipation of the stench.

When the stone was rolled back, Peter billowed his robe and drew a shallow breath, for indeed the acrid smell of death surrounded them. Turning again to the young woman, he called out, “Daughter! Have no fear! Do you believe that I am who I say I am? Do you believe in the Son of God and in the powers I command?”

The woman fell to Peter’s knees, weeping. “Yes! I do! I believe you are the Chosen One! The Most Powerful! The Son of God!” she cried.

With that, Peter turned to the cave’s ragged mouth and, spreading his arms wide, called out, “Lazarus! Because of your sister’s belief, you have been saved. I command thee now to come forth!”

The crowd boiled with anticipation. All eyes fixed on the cave’s entrance, everyone expecting a miracle.

A minute went by and nothing happened. Another passed. Still nothing.

Peter was about to step forward when Saul grabbed his arm and held him back. Just as he did, a shadow flickered along the cave’s wall. The crowd let out a collective gasp and tumbled backward. They watched, openmouthed, as a figure wrapped in burial shrouds moved out of the darkness.

Peter, too, appeared shocked by the figure’s sudden appearance. Seeing his hesitation, Saul gouged Peter’s side with an elbow. Gathering himself, Peter returned to the head of the crowd and called out, “Daughter! Do you swear before us all and before the Almighty Lord that this man is your brother?”

The young woman squinted into the cave. She took a step toward the figure. Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes! Yes, I swear!” she blurted, falling to her knees.