Stronger than death
Again, Jesus was overcome by emotion as he approached the burial cave, why? It was clear to him what he had to do. He was confident of the results, and yet he wept. Was it because of the sorrow and suffering his friends had gone though? Was it because he knew that their suffering would not be over even after Lazarus returned to life?
How did the watching crowd react as the man, dead for 4 days, shuffled forward, hands, feet and face bound, in response to the command, “Lazarus, come out!” Did they cheer? Did they fall on their faces in reverence? Or were they silent in amazement? It is hard for people, who have long evaded God to see evidence of his presence with them and know how to react. Doubtless there were already doubters, preparing a conspiracy theory rather than believe the evident truth.
Jesus, who continually made it clear that he was not acting alone but was praying to and listening to God, had prayed aloud at the burial cave, after the stone was moved away. “Father,” he said, “I thank you for hearing me; I know that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”
What does it mean that God sent Jesus? It means, that God had sent Jesus into the world to defeat the power of evil, and by so doing to restore to God and people what they had lost, and what God still grieves over: their togetherness.
Humanity can fight illness and overcome disadvantages for many years; we can make a new generation from our own bodies, and work powerfully for the good of society. Death snatches us away from all we have worked for, and achieved. God, who is for us, sent Jesus to defeat the evil which causes our death.
Through this one action Jesus underlined for all time the fact that he is stronger than death. That the burial cave and stone can not separate us from God who still seeks to restore the togetherness we lost.
The prophets in the Old Testament part of the Bible understood the agony of God and he gave them visions and whispers of a day when he would make all things new and restore the friendship and trust that men deny God now. Isaiah related that message to us in these words: he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.
The Gospel of John: Chapter 11, verses 38-46
Old Testament Prophet Isaiah: chapter 25, verse 11
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How did the watching crowd react as the man, dead for 4 days, shuffled forward, hands, feet and face bound, in response to the command, “Lazarus, come out!” Did they cheer? Did they fall on their faces in reverence? Or were they silent in amazement? It is hard for people, who have long evaded God to see evidence of his presence with them and know how to react. Doubtless there were already doubters, preparing a conspiracy theory rather than believe the evident truth.
Jesus, who continually made it clear that he was not acting alone but was praying to and listening to God, had prayed aloud at the burial cave, after the stone was moved away. “Father,” he said, “I thank you for hearing me; I know that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”
What does it mean that God sent Jesus? It means, that God had sent Jesus into the world to defeat the power of evil, and by so doing to restore to God and people what they had lost, and what God still grieves over: their togetherness.
Humanity can fight illness and overcome disadvantages for many years; we can make a new generation from our own bodies, and work powerfully for the good of society. Death snatches us away from all we have worked for, and achieved. God, who is for us, sent Jesus to defeat the evil which causes our death.
Through this one action Jesus underlined for all time the fact that he is stronger than death. That the burial cave and stone can not separate us from God who still seeks to restore the togetherness we lost.
The prophets in the Old Testament part of the Bible understood the agony of God and he gave them visions and whispers of a day when he would make all things new and restore the friendship and trust that men deny God now. Isaiah related that message to us in these words: he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.
The Gospel of John: Chapter 11, verses 38-46
Old Testament Prophet Isaiah: chapter 25, verse 11
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posted by Jessie Coates at 4:39 PM
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