A couple of weeks ago I spoke of a beggar named Lazarus and an unnamed rich man. We saw what took place after death from the point of view of that scripture. Here is an account of another man named Lazarus. We’ll find the record of his death and more. Think about Martha’s statement to the Lord.
John 11:20 “Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
Isn’t it something that in the most lively time of the year we are to celebrate Memorial Day? It is a celebration when the loved one has gone to be with the Lord; however, on our part it still hurts. The memories and the emptiness are hard. Yet we find ourselves with this holiday when the birds are singing and the flowers blooming more than any other time of the year. June 21st will soon be here, and the days will begin to shorten again. And it still hurts.
This scripture deals with one of the most painful things a person can face, the death of a loved one. We don’t know how old this trio of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were, but they were close friends of Jesus. They loved him, and he loved them. Mary and Martha experienced the suffering of Lazarus when he got sick and began to die. No matter how prepared your are for a loved one’s death, it’s still worse than you can believe. It smacks you in the face. You’ll never see them again in this life. There will be no ghosts or voices from the other side. The clock cannot be rewound; they are gone.
John gives the actual account of a long-term death. A man dead four days came from his tomb at the command of Jesus. This shows us there is a life hereafter. Jesus is our only hope of seeing our loved ones again. This passage is the very definition of hope. We literally see the hope we can trust in. We know our saved loved ones are in a better place not six feet under the ground. It’s because HE lives. If Jesus had not come out of his grave, everything would have crumbled. Because HE lives there is a tomorrow. HE IS TOMORROW!
Martha lashed out at Jesus and told him if he’d been there Lazarus would not have died. Mary didn’t even come out of the house when she heard Jesus was there. We pray and are consumed with what didn’t happen. Death and suffering do not have the upper hand. God is still in full control. Though Lazarus was Jesus’ friend he still suffered and died. We wonder why. We say God doesn’t love us. He who suffered the most is the one who loves us most. Jesus is our Lord.
Martha and Mary begged for Jesus to come while Lazarus was sick. How many times have we prayed and it seemed like the Lord would never answer? Remember God has never let anyone down! He doesn’t bow to our wishes. Through him our loved ones are taken care of. Jesus was not Johnny on the spot. Instead of going to Lazarus he sent his word. Verse 4 says “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” This didn’t happen so Jesus could “rescue” Lazarus from heaven, not in the least. It was for all those around that day as well as us right here.
“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” Jesus said “thy brother shall rise again.” Martha said “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus looked Martha right in the eye and said pay attention to what I’m about to say. “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Martha looked at Jesus and said “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” What did she believe? HE is the CHRIST! He’s the SON OF GOD! HE IS THE RESURRECTION! As our Savior he is our resurrection. The key to our sanity is here. Jesus is YOUR RESURRECTION. He is mine.
Jesus went to the tomb. He felt their grief. He knew his own grief and wept because of it. Jesus made it all clear to Martha and Mary and the others. He didn’t have to tell God anything. He prayed so that others might believe. Jesus spoke his name, and Lazarus reverted from a four-day curse of death. He had no use for the grave clothes. Jesus said “loose him and let him go.”
Do you believe this? Do you need to reconfirm your faith and belief in the Lord? He is our Master. He is our resurrection. Be like Martha and say “yea, Lord: I believe.”
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 