ApX Adds New Song to Its Resurrection Playlist
Fri., Sep. 20. 2019 12:33pm EDT
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here yet again.
"Bethany," the second song on our new single, is a prequel to a song we did 25 years ago called "Lazzie Lay" (a parody of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May"). You can find it on our Radical History Tour and Classics: Lite CDs.
If you play "Bethany" followed immediately by "Lazzie Lay," you'll notice two things: First, we've dramatically improved our performance and production values since 1994, and second, the songs connect to tell the story of the resurrection of Lazarus.
It's a tale of two sisters. "Bethany" is from Martha's perspective as she meets Jesus when he arrives in town four days too late to save her brother. "Lazzie Lay" is from Mary's perspective after she has talked with Jesus and is now standing at the tomb, hoping Lazarus will come forth.
Our songbook says "Lazzie Lay" is "the story of Lazarus' resurrection as told by his sisters, Mary and Martha," but I see it more as Mary speaking. Although "Bethany" doesn't name either sister (only Lazarus), it reflects Martha's persona and includes her comment from John 11:39 that the King James Version translates as "Lord, by this time he stinketh."
I'm sorry, but part of me must still be in fourth grade, because that last line always makes me want to giggle.
Anyway, if you're making a resurrection playlist, you'll want to add "Bethany." In fact, we've covered almost all of the pre-Revelation resurrections in the Bible, except for the widow of Zarephath's son, raised by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–24) and the man brought back to life when his corpse was thrown into Elisha's grave (2 Kings 13:20–21).
And, yes, I absolutely want to do songs about each of those occurrences, so save spots for 'em on your playlist! But here's what we have so far:
Old Testament Resurrections
1. "I Just Died and Arose"
(The Shunammite woman's son by Elisha in 2 Kings 4:18-37)
New Testament Resurrections by Jesus
2. "Nain" (the widow's son in Luke 7:11-17)
3. "Wake Up, Talitha Cumi" (Jairus' daughter in Luke 8:52-56)
4. "Lazzie Lay" (Lazarus in John 11:1-44, as told by Mary)
5. "Bethany" (Lazarus, as told by Martha)
6. "Cemetery Came Alive"
(Various saints in Jerusalem after Jesus' death in Matthew 27:50-53)
The Resurrection of Jesus
7. "I Have to Die First"
8. "Huge Slumber Party"
9. "Didn't Just Die"
10. "Magdalena"
11. "One Headline"
12. "Emmaus"
13. "Scars"
14. "Didn't Just Die"
15. "Died and Rose"
16. "Back Intact"
17. "Tom Saw Ya"
18. "You May Be Right"
19. "Rose Up"
20. "Some Doubt"
21. "The Jews' Lost Hero"
New Testament Resurrections by the Apostles
22. "She's Not Dead" (Tabitha by Peter in Acts 9:36-43)
23. "Listenin' After Midnight" ("Eutychus" by Paul in Acts 20:7-12)
Here's a great article on all of the resurrections in the Bible if you'd like to read more: https://www.gotquestions.org/raised-from-the-dead.html
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