The Resurrection of Lazarus

First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14

Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11

Gospel: John 11: 1-45

 

Christ performed many mighty deeds.  Of the seven miracles recorded, three of them were raising people from the dead.  First, we have Jairus, the synagogue official’s daughter. Then the son of the widow in the village of Nain. Then there was Lazarus.

 

Raising Lazarus was Jesus last great miracle before His triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, ready for His Passover and His Passion. This last great act of raising Lazarus was met with great contempt from the cultural and class elite of that time.

 

He is also met with anger and emotion from Lazarus' sister, Martha, who tells Jesus,  "If only you were here sooner my brother would still be alive". But let it not go unnoticed the faith that Martha is displaying in her emotions. She knows Jesus is not a doctor, but she believes He is the Lord. Jesus makes Martha a promise and tells her that her brother will rise, but I think it's fair to say Jesus senses Martha’s faith and then asks her a question that sort of clears the air when he says, "Do you believe this? If you believe I am the Messiah, you should not be afraid."

 

The Lord asks us this same question anytime we face death or fear of death. Anytime we have an experience with death, whether it be a close call with death personally, or a family or friend or neighbor. How we answer that question determines not only how we face death but in a very real way it determines how we face life. 

 

Believe Jesus is God. Believe His power over sin, darkness, and death. And we don't need to be afraid to die. Once we no longer carry with us the fear of death we can live boldly. Knowing the Lord has greater things in store for all of us.