As we have it at the moment, if you think about it, however glorious and illustrious it might appear, death wins.
You know that.
They are born and as soon as that happens death is inevitable. Whatever purpose you look for while you’re alive does nothing to prevent the inevitable.
You know that.
So on that bright and cheery note, it’s worth sharing why I’m on about it. It’s because I become more and more persuaded that death does not win. Death is not the final answer. Indeed, I am more and more persuaded that death is already defeated and it is merely awaiting its own end when the one who conquered it has dealt with everything else.
That gives me tremendous hope. It gives me tremendous hope when the spectre of death and its effects are prominent in news bulletins, workplace conversations and around so many different aspects of society.
One of those who followed Jesus put together an account of the time Jesus spent in serving. Among the episodes that this follower recounts features one that highlights why its worthwhile believing in this amazing man. The episode is a familiar one now – featuring Jesus’ good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. First up, once more it’s good to know that Jesus had good friends. I like that thought. I like the thought that on earth Jesus hung around with people and some became very good friends to him.
So it’s a particularly distressing message that comes through to Jesus that Lazarus was gravely ill. It’s the sort of news that good friends don’t take lightly. A swift reaction is needed. So it’s a bit odd that Jesus doesn’t act with urgency. It’s even more odd that when His followers ask about it, Jesus actually lets them know first in guarded phrase then blatantly that his good friend was no longer sick, but dead. Yet they were still going to visit see him. What’s the point?
Many years earlier, Jesus’ ancestor David agonised to the point of fasting and wearing himself out while his first child with Bathsheba was ill, but as soon as he was dead, he washed himself, had a meal and went and comforted the mother. He knew that there’s no point in going to the dead, because they won’t return to him, so there’s no point.
Here’s Jesus, however, going to see a dead man. The disciples would understand visiting the sisters, but what was the point other than to comfort? The time for decisive action was over. Death had won again.
Mary and Martha, though they were glad to see their friend again, did not hide their sorrow at him showing up too late as Lazarus was dead and buried. They believed in him for what he could do for the living, but the time had come and gone. What was the point now. Death had won again.
Jesus knew better. He had stated before his credentials as the light of the world. Now he reminded his friends and followers if they remembered what he said. He announced also that there was not just life in him, but resurrection and life. That is to say, in him, life conquered death – power to live and power to live a life that defeats death.
That comforts me like few things have ever comforted me. It’s one thing seeing a glimpse of that in Lazarus the dead man becoming Lazarus the man raised from the dead. It is a greater thing to see that he who brought Lazarus back from the dead went one better and returned triumphant over death and the grave to live forever. Live forever and invite others by faith to enjoy this forever life.
This comforts and assures me when I hear or read about death. The pain of loss, the grief that accompanies it is so real now as it was for Mary and Martha as they saw their friend show up seemingly too late for their brother. That grief that tears only begins to display. That mourning that sobs barely scratches the surface in conveying. It’s real. It’s so very real.
Yet there is an invitation in the tears to understand that in Christ – death is defeated. Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah.
Life conquers death.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 