"John 11:1-44
Hope in the resurrection of Jesus
Do you fear death? Many people are afraid of death. But if you put your faith in Jesus, you do not need to fear death. Jesus has defeated the power of death.
Russell Brand (the English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and presenter) said, ‘Laughter is addictive because of the inevitability of death. It gives us a temporary escape – for the moment it stops the fear of the inevitability of death.’ Every human being will face the ‘trouble’ of death. Where does the hope lie?
In today’s passage we see the full humanity of Jesus in the face of death. Lazarus was his friend. Jesus loved him (v.3). He was ‘deeply moved’ and ‘troubled’ by his death (v.33). In the shortest verse in the Bible we read ‘Jesus wept’ (v.35).
Yet Jesus is also, uniquely, the answer to death. Jesus said to Martha, ‘ “Your brother will be raised up.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”
“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all” ’ (vv.24–26, MSG).
There is life beyond the grave. Jesus died and rose again. Everyone who believes in Jesus will rise again from the dead. As a foretaste of the future, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Bishop Lesslie Newbigin was once asked, ‘Are you an optimist or a pessimist?’ He said, ‘I’m neither – Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.’ You have a completely certain hope. We are neither optimists nor pessimists – rather, we are hopeful. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of your future hope.
This resurrection power also belongs to the church. Paul writes to the church of Rome, ‘If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you’ (Romans 8:11).
Christianity is the largest movement of all time. It is the only one that never loses a member through death. I remember one of my sons, when he was a little boy, saying, ‘When you die, I’ll be sad. Then I’ll see you in heaven and I won’t be sad anymore!’
Mother Teresa was asked shortly before her death, ‘Are you afraid of dying?’ She said, ‘How can I be? Dying is going home to God. I have never been afraid. No, on the contrary,’ she said, ‘I am really looking forward to it!’
This passage also indirectly provides a picture of hope for the church. There is a sickness in parts of the church and many, as we have seen, are predicting its death. Some parts of the church seem to have ‘fallen asleep’ (John 11:11). And in some cases there seems to be a ‘bad odour’ (v.39).
This passage reminds us of Jesus’ power to bring even the dead to life. This resurrection power is still at work in the church today. The same Jesus who said over Lazarus ‘this sickness will not end in death’ (v.4), also promised that he would ‘build [his] Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18, KJV).
Some parts of the church seem to have been prematurely buried. Jesus said about Lazarus, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go’ (John 11:44c). Maybe Jesus would say something similar to parts of the church today. The Brighton and Hove Argus described what has happened at one of our church plants – St Peter’s, Brighton – as ‘the Lazarus-like recovery of the city’s “unofficial cathedral”.’
Lord, I pray for the church in this country. Forgive us where we have fallen asleep and are giving off a bad odour. Thank you that we know you are deeply moved by the situation, that you weep over the church, and that you will act out of love. May this sickness not end in death.
Lord, would you bring new life. I pray for an end to church closures and decline. May we see the church come alive all across our nation."
1. Amen! Thank You for this hope, thank You that You have indeed conquered death.
2. Thank You, Lord, for continuous learning. It was magnificent how you have crafted the minds.
3. Praise God for open doors, you never cease to amaze me of Your timing, of everything! Amen!
