The Resurrection and The Life
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The story of Lazarus and Jesus is often used as an illustration of resurrection, faith, and God's power over death. In the biblical narrative, Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, falls ill and dies. Jesus, upon hearing of his death, travels to Bethany and raises Lazarus from the dead after four days. This event is not only a powerful demonstration of Jesus's divine authority but also a symbol of spiritual resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Let’s look at this story in pieces.
But first let’s pray!
Let’s break this story down in more detail
Resurrection
After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
John continues to emphasis that Christ is 100% divine. The most prominent illustration is Jesus's power over death.
By raising Lazarus, Jesus shows that he has authority over death and can bring life even after death has taken hold.
When he has swallowed up death once and for all,
the Lord God will wipe away the tears
from every face
and remove his people’s disgrace
from the whole earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
Imagine a large, delicious cake that everyone at a party wants a piece of. But then someone announces a surprise: they’ve made a simple but delectable dessert that can serve everyone, with nobody missing out. In a similar way, Jesus swallowed up death like that cake, making sure that we all can partake in eternal life without the fear of missing out!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.
As humans, we will all one day pass away. It is a product of us living in a fallen world.
As Christians, even though we die here on earth, we live. We live with Christ is heaven, in glory.
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.
Faith
As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
The story not only shows Christ’s power over death but it highlights the importance of faith. Martha, Lazarus's sister, expresses her belief that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus's death and also her faith in Jesus's ability to bring him back to life.
Faith waivers at times. When you pray for someone’s diagnosis and they still pass away from it.
Notice Martha tells Jesus if you would have been here but even it is whatever You ask. She took her grief, her hurt, her waivering and gave it all to the one who is the resurrection and the life!
Her faith will be answered. But not for her glory, but so that God’s glory will be manifested and those who do not believe would.
So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.”
Grief and Compassion
Jesus wept.
The shortest verse in the bible, but yet it holds so much power.
This verse hits so much differently when you know this verse
teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So if you are weeping, Jesus weeps.
So if you are joyful, Jesus rejoices.
So if you are in a state of hopelessness, Jesus is hope.
If you are in a state of hate and hurt, Jesus is love.
When you lose your faith, Jesus is there.
Jesus's weeping at the tomb demonstrates his empathy and compassion for Mary and Martha's grief.
It shows that Jesus, though powerful, is also deeply connected to human emotion and suffering.
For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
We have a Savior that knows and is there with us, even to the end.
The Stone and The Wrap
The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”
Jesus said He is the resurrection and the life. This story ends where Lazarus released from his tomb and has what has bound him removed.
When we accept Christ as the resurrection and the life our stone is removed and what has bound us is removed.
