A Personal and Powerful Answer to the Problem of Death

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

Death is not our friend. It is an enemy. Death is the cessation of life. The unavoidable end of life on earth. As Solomon lamented about “life under the sun,”

This is the tragedy of everything that happens under the sun: Everyone shares the same destiny… they join the dead. But all who are among the living have hope, because a living dog is better than a dead lion. (Eccl 9:3-4 GW)

Death is an expected reality of life. As a person ages and nears the end of their life, the reality of death is accepted and expected. If we’re wise, we make plans to accommodate our eventual demise with a will, final instructions, and wishes.

But when death comes unexpectedly, it is much more difficult to accept.

When a person’s life is cut short because of an illness, accident, or tragic event, we’re unprepared to accept death. It’s out of place. It interrupts our life.

As a pastor, I’ve presided over many funerals and memorial services. Several were difficult and bewildering. It is heartrending to try comforting parents who lose a child or a spouse with young children.

This is where faith is important. Not a philosophical or religious belief, but a living hope and trust in God.

The conversation between Jesus and Martha, the sister of Lazarus, reveals this.

Scripture

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. (Bethany was near Jerusalem, not quite two miles away.) Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. Mary stayed at home. Martha told Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask him.” [vss 17-22]

Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will come back to life.” Martha answered Jesus, “I know that he’ll come back to life on the last day, when everyone will come back to life.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe that?”

Martha said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was expected to come into the world.” [vss 23-27]

(John 11:17-27 GW)

Key phrase—

“I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself.” (Jesus)

Digging Deeper...

Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions

• Where did Lazarus and his sisters live and how close was it to Jerusalem?

• How many days had Lazarus been buried when Jesus arrived?

• Who came out to meet Jesus and what did they say to Him?

• What are 3 specific things this woman believes about Jesus?

• What does Jesus declare to this woman?

• How does Jesus describe Himself when answering this woman?

Reflection...

Based on what we know from the beginning of Chapter 11, Jesus intentionally waited before returning to His friends in Bethany. Why would Jesus wait so long?

The Jews had a belief, more like a superstition, that a person’s soul hovered near the body for three days after dying. So, after four days, no hope existed for the person to be alive. There was no doubt Lazarus was dead.

Since Jerusalem was near Bethany, many people were there to comfort Martha and Mary. But when Martha knew Jesus was near, she went out to greet Him.

Martha is a picture of faith here. Her brother is dead, yet she is still confident that Jesus could bring Lazarus back to life—

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask him.” (v 22)

When Jesus says, “Your brother will come back to life” (rise again), Martha declares her belief in a general resurrection from the dead. But then, Jesus makes a startling declaration—

“I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. [I am the resurrection and the life]. Those who believe in me will live even if they die.” (v 25)

After this, Jesus asks Martha if she believes what He declared to her. Then we see her confession of faith in Jesus—

“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was expected to come into the world.” (v 27)

This is important! Jesus isn’t asking Martha if she believes in theological truth, He’s asking if she believes in who He is.

As John said at the beginning of his Gospel, all life originates in Jesus. All hope of life and restored life (resurrection) is found in Jesus. We must anchor our faith in Jesus Himself.

Faith isn’t a set of beliefs we hold, but a personal relationship of trust in the Lord.

Taking it to heart...

Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions

• How does Martha approach Jesus at first and what does she say to Him?

• Do you think Martha was complaining to Jesus or just expressing her grief?

• What surprises you most about what Jesus says about Himself?

• Do you see how Martha illustrates genuine faith?

• Do you have assurance in your heart and mind about who Jesus is?

Personalize it...

Meditate On This— Martha illustrates genuine faith by her actions and what she says. She demonstrates a confidence and trust in Jesus Himself. Not only does she believe Jesus can raise the dead, she understands who He is—“…the Messiah, the Son of God….”

Prayer Focus— When you face difficult or tragic times, put your confidence and trust in Jesus. Not only can He raise the dead, but He is also the origin of life itself. Learn to trust Jesus in daily life, even in small ways, then you will be prepared to trust in hard times.

©2021—Word-Strong