Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life!

5th Sunday in Lent, 4/2/17
John 11:17-27, 38-45


Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life!
I. He is the source of life.
II. He rules over death.


Are you familiar with the word “onomastics”? It’s the study of names. Call me weird, but names have always fascinated me.

For instance, a century ago, or even less, the name given to a child often had family significance. The name selected by the parents indicated a connection with a family member still living or recently passed away. Among boys, a particular son might have Roman numeral II, III or even IV after his name.

I grew up in a state familiar with many Native American names: Winnebago, Menomonie, Oconomowoc. Most Native American names are closely connected with nature—things such as animals, water, wind, earth and sky.

Biblical names also often carry some significance. A woman by the name of Hannah prayed fervently to the Lord for child. When the Lord answered her prayer and gave her a son, she named him Samuel, which means “God hears.”

But in today’s world, I’m having difficulty making sense of names, especially when it comes to naming children. It happens at least weekly that I look at a name and have to wonder why that child’s parents chose that name. In some cases, I’m certain that, when the child becomes an adult, he will consider legally changing his name. Who would want to be stuck with that name for an entire lifetime? Have you ever wondered that same thing about some names?

But we never have to wonder about the names that Jesus used for himself. In today’s sermon text from John 11, Jesus tells a woman named Martha that he is the resurrection and the life. Those two names are full of meaning, not just for Jesus, but for every person who believes that Jesus is their Savior. They’re full of meaning for you and me. So let’s remind ourselves this morning just how blessed we are to know this truth: Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Part I.

It’s one of the tasks, one of the responsibilities, one of the obligations that we don’t relish. In fact, it’s one of the last things we want to do. I’m talking about approaching a friend or loved one who is grieving over a death. We’re hurting, too, but their pain is so much deeper and it’s evident. Especially when the circumstances surrounding the death are tragic; it’s so difficult. What will we say? How will our friend or loved one react? Will our words help them or cause them more sobbing? What if we can’t find anything to say or do to console them? Uncertainties abound in such a situation.

Jesus makes just such a visit in the event before us today. But there were no uncertainties for him. Days earlier he and his disciples had received the message that Lazarus was sick. And immediately Jesus informed his disciples, “This sickness will not end in death” (11:4). Was this the first time in his life that Jesus was wrong? Absolutely not! Jesus was fully aware that Lazarus would die, but his sickness wouldn’t end in death; it would end in life.

And he displayed he knew exactly what he was doing when, two days later, he informed his disciples without receiving any information on Lazarus’ situation, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.” Jesus said he was asleep when he really was dead. Again was he mistaken? Not at all. When the disciples mistook Lazarus for sleeping instead of actually being dead, Jesus filled them in, “Lazarus is dead.” But even in the face of death the entire situation was still within his almighty hands. Jesus went on to state, “For your sake I am glad I was not there, that you may believe.” There’s not a hint of uncertainty in Jesus.

He and his disciples then made their way to the home of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. Again, if you and I were making our way there, uncertainties would fill our hearts. What will we say? What will we do? How will Mary and Martha respond? But not Jesus. He was divinely confident. When Martha expressed her unmet desire that Jesus would have arrived earlier when Lazarus was still alive, Jesus told her confidently, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha then gave expression to her great faith. She knew and believed that Lazarus would rise again on the Last Day.

But Jesus corrected her expectations. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Once again, was Jesus tragically mistaken? Lazarus believed in Jesus as the promised Savior. But he was clearly dead. Even Jesus said so. So how could it be true that those who believe in Jesus never die? Because even though their bodies are dead, their souls are truly alive. In fact, their souls are experiencing life the way God designed it—a life of perfect bliss and glory with him in heaven. The flesh and bones that held Lazarus for a time were dead. But Lazarus was still very much alive.

You see, life without God is really death in the deepest sense of the word. Life without God leads to eternal death. So, even when the person without Christ is alive physically, they are dead spiritually and will remain so unless the good news about Jesus brings them spiritual life. Because there is only one life—life with Jesus.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is the source of real life.

We understand Martha’s thinking, don’t we? Jesus, if only you had been here…Jesus, if only you would do something about this major problem in my life. Jesus, if only… And we get it. This life is the only life we know. We’re defined by this life here on earth in so many ways. And when we think that Jesus absolutely must do what we’re asking of him or we won’t know how to cope with this life, Jesus responds to us as he responded the Martha. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” He lifts our spiritual sights. He helps us understand that we already have the only life that really matters—life with him. That’s what his life here on earth was all about. He came to redeem us from Satan’s kingdom to his kingdom so that we can live with him—yes, one day in heaven, but also right here and right now. Sure there will be setbacks and disappointments and tragedies in this life, but we still hold onto our life with Jesus which is the only real life. So when doubts arise in our hearts and our words and actions reveal we’re placing a sinful emphasis on this life, Jesus points us to his cross where he died for our sins and by that death won real life for us. He is the source of real life—life with him.

Part II.

Fake news is a recent phenomenon. In the past, it was generally assumed that what was being reported as news was actually true. Not anymore. You can say just about anything you want with the hope that people will believe you.

Imagine if Jesus had created fake news on this day in his life. Imagine if he had told his disciples and Martha in veiled terms that Lazarus would rise again, but then walked away, leaving Lazarus’ dead body in the tomb. Martha would have been crushed, and we would have our haunting doubts about Jesus.

But look again at what Jesus did. John tells us that Jesus was deeply moved. Why? Didn’t he know he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead? Indeed he did, but he was moved by the tragedy and sorrow that sin brought into this world. It pained him to see sin’s results.

He had told his disciples they would see the glory of God. At this moment they were seeing it with their own eyes. Lazarus had been dead for four days. Decay had set in. But Jesus wanted all eyes on him in order to witness the glory of God.

He began with a prayer to his heavenly Father. Notice, he didn’t ask his Father for the power to raise Lazarus. He didn’t need to. It was a prayer of thanks. By this prayer, Jesus was declaring to all who heard him that his Father was perfectly aligned with what Jesus was doing.

And then came the miracle. He shouted three words in English—Lazarus, come out!—and out came Lazarus, living, breathing, walking. Here was Lazarus come back from the dead.

The result was exactly as Jesus had wanted. “Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.” Many of these Jews were residents of Jerusalem, where the opposition to Jesus was the fiercest. But there was no denying it now. Jesus had to be who he said he was—the Son of God and the world’s Savior from sin. He even had power over death.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He rules over death.

How comforting for us! A few weeks after this glorious event, Jesus’ enemies would succeed in arresting him, condemning him, and putting him to death. They thought the imposter was gone for good. But they were wrong; dead wrong! He rose from the dead, assuring us of our forgiveness and eternal life.

How comforting for us! We don’t place our Christian loved ones in the grave, never to see them again. We do so with the certain promise of the resurrection on the Last Day. Our greatest, most powerful enemy—death—is no match for our Savior, Jesus Christ. So, no matter what problems or difficulties you’re facing, place them all into the hands of the One who is the resurrection and the life. The resurrection and the life. What beautiful and meaningful names for Jesus! What eternal blessings are in those names for you and me! Amen.