In the inevitable facing of a uncertain future, don’t we in general get a little jittery in thinking about falling asleep in eternity? Naturally we we question it and discuss it and with faith we draw a conclusion for those of us that do believe in Christ that our live does not stop here on here on earth. The Society we live in proclaims the afterlife more of a factor on ratings and karma rather than a divine purpose. From reading the story of Lazarus today, we see a glimpse into how the Saints of God are not only recognized, but remembered in a way that only God can even portait such a splendid moment of emotion that is both mystical and surreal.
In Jewish belief when a person passed away their soul remained near the body for 3 days. The period of mourning for the dead lasted of 3 days of very heavy mourning, 4 days of heavy mourning and then 30 days of lighter mourning. It was customary for friends and relatives to come and comfort the family. Lazarus had been in the grave now for 4 days which meant that all hope was lost.
In todays reading, Martha ran out to meet Jesus as He arrived. When she met Him her words were clear “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” The emphasis here seems to be on the fact that she knew that Jesus was able to help. “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” She knew that Jesus was the Christ. She believed that he would have been able to heal her brother. However 4 days had gone by, and in accordance with jewish believe, Lazarus’ soul was gone. It was too late. Yes, God would do what Jesus asked and yes her brother would rise again some day at the resurrection – but he was gone. Have you ever felt like that? You face a difficult circumstance and, when God doesn’t respond in the way you expected, you grow confused. You know that God is able to intervene but all you can do is hope for the best. Jesus responded to her with a very powerful statement that I think everyone has heard, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die!” He IS life. To be with Jesus is have life.
As a young man, D.L. Moody was called upon suddenly to preach a funeral sermon. He hunted all throughout the four Gospels trying to find one of Christ's funeral sermons, but did not find a thing. In fact what He did find was that Christ broke up every recorded funeral he ever attended. Death could not exist where he was. When the dead heard his voice they sprang to life. Can you imagine that?
Where ever we go, where ever we travel, we are always living life aren’t we? It is something we are designed to do, and we continue to do without hesitation. How much less can we prepare our day when we get up and start the day towards preparing our spirit for when our mortal life is ending? Is it not responsible, not to mention necessity to equip ourselves with the right equipment to not only meet God, but live on this earth with Gods ultimate Love?
Many people today are afraid of death. They hope for the best but expect the worst. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they face death. We need not fear the unknown wondering if God will have mercy on us and let us in. If we are with Jesus we have life. Wherever we go, whatever unknown we face – we have LIFE. Not just eventually but now.
On May 28 1914 a ship called the Express of Ireland hit another ship and began to sink quickly. As the ship began to sink in the cold Atlantic Ocean it was discovered that there were not enough life belts on board for all the passengers. On that ship were 130 Salvation Army officers—109 were drowned and not one body that was picked up had on a life belt. The few survivors told how the Salvation Army Christians took off their own belts and strapped them even upon strong men, saying, “I can die better than you can”. From the deck of that ship was demonstrated what it means to live with a new priority, passion and power.
On this day that we recognize all the Saints of God that has passed on, we too are to remember God’s ultimate Love in not just those past, but all that are present. Because remember as its written in 1 Thessalonians Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
In this life there will be good days and bad days. Good days like today, as we celebrate with loving thoughts, prayers and memory of our beloved whose names are written in the Lambs book of Life.
There will also be bad days when we say goodbye to brothers and sisters in Christ. Through it all we need to remember that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The good news friends, is the hearing, reading and work of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, that took out the sting of death, hell and the grave. Oh death where is your sting, oh grave where is your victory!
With Christ friends, you can rest assured, there is full hope for tomorrow for all who live and reign in Christ and Christ in us, for in Him and Him alone, we do have life, and have it more abundandtly. Amen.