June 28, 2024 -- John 11:21-27 -- Jesus has power over life, the grave, and death

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
John 11:21-27 ESV

Death intrudes. Even when someone we know and love is ill and then dies, death is still a violation. Yesterday a dear, small fellowship at an alcohol and drug recovery centre experienced the shock of unexpected death. One of their peers in the recovery program died in the night. The words of Jesus to Martha are such a poignant, powerful reminder of our neediness wherever and however death intrudes.

Jesus declared His power and His authority even over death and the grave. Lazarus experienced Jesus’ power. At Jesus’ command Lazarus was summoned from the tomb and rose to life. However, Lazarus would die again. His was not yet the resurrection to eternal life.

Those who are in Christ, who believe on Him and know Him alone as their salvation, though they die, yet shall they live. At the small huddle of men, and male and female managers, the powerful words of Jesus were declared: “I Am the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live”. As the gurney wheeled past our small assembly and a cold rain fell, those words echoed out. A prayer offered, with all present completing that prayer by reciting the Serenity Prayer. The assurance was declared, he will not rise and die again like Lazarus. No, our brother in Christ has risen to new, eternal life in Christ.

Thanks be to God that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Thanks be to God that the Spirit of God seals such promises to our hearts so that our hope can never be snatched away. May God do as He promised, be the Comforter of all who mourn.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time
enjoying one moment at a time
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking as Jesus did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
forever and ever in the next. Amen.

Prayer attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

https://youtu.be/kOlJHNLX_Co?si=w_Gjxdvx6ExHK5U3 “By the Sea of Crystal”

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