Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:1-11; John 11:1-53

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As a pastor, I’ve dealt with my fair share of death. It’s not something that any of us look forward to but can never avoid. It doesn’t matter whether someone dies of old age or in some tragic accident or succumbs to sickness. It always hurts. I can’t say there’s been one funeral I’ve attended that hasn’t gotten me choked up. The emotions surrounding death are often overwhelming. The grief, the sadness, the pain, anger, and hurt. It all points us to a truth so often missed.

Consider our Gospel lesson this week. Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus was ill. They knew Jesus was capable of healing illnesses, as he had done so many times before. They didn’t want to see their brother die, as they knew his illness was severe. Jesus, however, doesn’t come. He delays a couple days; and in that time, Lazarus dies. Mary and Martha are grief-ridden over the death of their brother. This isn’t what they expected. They knew that Jesus could heal him, yet now are wondering why he didn’t. 

Death, we must learn, isn’t natural. If our grief were to teach us anything, it’s that death is the great enemy. It has ripped away so many we love from us and promises to come for you also. The empty casket stares us down, reminding us that one day, we’ll lay there too. This is why death hurts so much. Such is the response of these sisters. They’re angry Jesus didn’t come sooner and heal their brother. They’re sad to lose someone so close. They’re hurt that Lazarus is no longer with them. Even as they both say, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” John 11:21, 32. 

If you’ve ever doubted the humanity of Jesus, just read this verse. “Jesus wept,” John 11:35. He too was so overcome with emotions at the death of Lazarus. This was someone beloved to Jesus as well. Jesus was hurt, saddened, angry, and in pain at the death of Lazarus because he knew this wasn’t God’s design. Death is the invader in our world. 

As Jesus goes to the tomb, he has something far greater to teach us. God is with us even amidst death. Despite Jesus’ delay, he hadn’t abandoned Lazarus. He hadn’t left Mary and Martha’s plea unanswered. For so he tells them, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die,” John 11:25-26. With a simple command, Jesus shows Mary, Martha, and even us today that he’s the Lord over death. He raises Lazarus to show that he has the final word, not death. For Jesus will take Lazarus’ place, just as he takes ours. Jesus will go to the cross and face death for us. Jesus will die for the sins of not just a nation, but the whole world. Yet, on the third day, God will raise Jesus from the dead to show the defeat of death. Death no longer has dominion over him, nor you. Jesus is our resurrection and life. Just as with Lazarus, Jesus will come and call you forth from the grave. For in faith, death becomes nothing more than sleep. We sleep until the day when we know our Lord shall awaken us, bringing us with him, and leaving the casket empty!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!