John 11:39, He Stinketh

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time hestinketh:forhehath been dead four days.

//I laughed at Rob Bell’s humorous discussion of this verse in Velvet Elvis, but in truth, the phrase “he stinketh” struck me as memorable long ago, too.

Jesus’ beloved friend Lazarus has died, and four days later, Jesus shows up at the tomb. But Martha, the sister of Lazarus, has lost hope. Lazarus is so far gone that he stinketh. Nevertheles...