The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus

Funeral Sermon: Our Eternal Hope is in Christ the Lord

Text: John 11:25-26 (ESV) - \\\"Jesus said to her, \\\'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?\\\'\\\"

Outline

I. The Reality of Death and Grief (John 11:1-17)

A. The Death of Lazarus: A Reflection of Our Own Mortality

· Illustration: The story of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, mirrors our own experiences with the loss of loved ones.

· Argument: Death is an inescapable reality that brings pain and grief, yet it is not the end of the story.

B. Jesus\\\' Response to Death: Compassion and Empathy

· Illustration: Jesus wept at Lazarus\\\' tomb (John 11:35), showing His deep empathy for human suffering.

· Application: In our grief, we are not alone. Jesus understands and shares in our deepest sorrows.

II. Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)

A. The Claim of Christ: Authority Over Life and Death

· Argument: Jesus\\\' declaration as the resurrection and the life reveals His divine authority and power over death.

· Illustration: The resurrection of Lazarus as a testament to Jesus\\\' power.

B. The Promise of Eternal Life

· Argument: Belief in Jesus transforms our understanding of death. It is not an end, but a doorway to eternal life.

· Application: In our mourning, we hold onto the promise of a future reunion with those who have died in Christ.

III. The Question of Belief (John 11:26)

A. The Personal Nature of Jesus\\\' Question

· Argument: Jesus\\\' question, \\\"Do you believe this?\\\" is directed to each individual personally.

· Illustration: Personal stories of faith and belief in the face of death.

B. The Call to Faith

· Application: This moment calls us to reflect on our own beliefs about life, death, and eternity.

· Argument: Our response to Jesus\\\' question determines our eternal destiny.

IV. Living in the Light of Eternity

A. The Impact of Eternal Hope on Our Lives

· Argument: Belief in Jesus\\\' promise changes how we live today – with hope, purpose, and a focus on eternal things.

· Illustration: Examples of lives transformed by hope in Christ.

B. Comforting One Another with the Truth of the Gospel

· Application: We are called to share this hope with others, offering comfort and peace in times of sorrow.

Introduction

Attention

Interest

Analogy

Personal

Need Element

Historical

Context

Textual Idea

Sermon Idea

Interrogative

Transition

Main divisions

Stated here

Body Division # 1

Explanation

Historical

Cultural

Principle

Illustration

Analogy

Argumentation

Cross-reference

Reason

Application

Descriptive

Restatement

Transition

Division # 2

Explanation

John 11:25-26

Historical Cultural

Principle

Illustration

Analogy – object

Argumentation

Reason

Application

Descriptive

Restatement

Transition

Division # 3

Explanation

Word Study

Historical Cultural

Principle

Illustration

Analogy – History

Argument

Reason

Application

Descriptive

Prescriptive

Transition

Division # 4

Explanation

Illustration

Analogy – History

Argument

Cross-Reference

Reason

Application

Descriptive

Prescriptive

Transition

Conclusion

Visualization

Reiteration

Action

John 11:25-26 - \\\"Jesus said to her, \\\'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?\\\'

(Read text here)

At times of loss and grief, words often fail to ease our sorrow. Today, as we gather to remember and pray for [Deceased\\\'s Name], we also confront the stark reality of death that touches every human life. Death is not easy for anyone. We want to cry out to God like Mary and Martha: “Where were you? If only you had been here!” Yet, we find in John 11:25-26 more than a simple answer or reply. We find the whole foundation of our faith—and without the fact of death, we would not realize it. Let us see how Jesus offers us a promise that transcends the here and now, a promise of eternal hope to all who believe.

Imagine a ship in a tumultuous sea, battered by waves. The passengers are anxious and uncertain. Where is the shore? When will there be rescue? This ship is like our lives. We are all aboard it. We all want answers. But what do we believe?

I recall a moment from my childhood, standing in the midst of a vast field under the expansive sky. As I watched the clouds moving across the sky, I felt so strongly how quickly our time passes. The sun rises and sets and before we know it, so many years are behind us, as though it was gone in the blink of an eye. This realization gave me a strong desire for something constant and unchanging, a desire that I later found fulfilled in the promises of Christ.

In our lives, we all face the inevitable reality of death. Life often leaves us yearning for assurance and comfort. We need a guiding light even in our moments of deepest despair.

John 11:25-26, is set against the backdrop of a profound loss. Jesus is confronted with the death of His friend Lazarus, and it speaks into the heart of grief. This historical moment speaks, in fact, directly to our own experiences of loss.

In this passage, Jesus makes an enormous declaration: \\\"I am the resurrection and the life.\\\" These words are a powerful claim about who Jesus is and the hope He offers in the face of death.

Today, we explore the depth of this declaration. We will see that in Jesus, we find more than a sympathetic friend in times of sorrow, more than a worldly savior; in Him we find the very source of life and victory over death.

How, then, does Jesus\\\' claim as the resurrection and the life transform our understanding of death and offer us hope in our grief?

To grasp the full impact of Jesus\\\' words, we will dive into four main divisions of our text.

1. The Reality of Death and Grief: Understanding how Jesus\\\' response to Lazarus\\\' death reveals His empathy and our shared human experience.

2. The Claim of Christ: Authority Over Life and Death: Exploring the depth and implications of Jesus\\\' declaration as the resurrection and the life.

3. The Question of Faith: Reflecting on how Jesus\\\' question, \\\"Do you believe this?\\\" is an invitation to each of us to find hope and assurance in Him.

4. Living in the Light of Eternity: Belief is not just a mental assertion; it is a way of living.

The Reality of Death and Grief (John 11:1-17)

The narrative of Lazarus in John 11:1-17 mirrors our own encounters with the death of loved ones. Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus, but fell ill and eventually succumbed to his illness, much to the despair of his sisters, Mary and Martha. They were grieved much. Jesus was not in Bethania when Lazarus died. In fact, as His disciples pointed out to Him, the Jews wanted to stone our Lord and put Him to death. Therefore, they viewed returning to Bethania as an unwise idea. But Jesus insisted, saying that returning to Bethania would give glory to the Son of God—and that, besides, it would help His followers to believe more fully in Him. They, of course, did not understand these words—but Thomas remarked that they ought to go with Him and be prepared to die with Him, as He was their Master (John 11:16). For His disciples, they thought they were going to their own deaths by returning to Bethania, where the resentful Jews might be waiting for them. They did not understand that Jesus returned to show that He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). Martha certainly did not realize this when she seemingly rebuked Our Lord for being absent so long while Lazarus lay sick. “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died,” she said (John 11:21)—as though He Who knew all things, He Who made the world, He the Creator of Lazarus, and Martha, and all living beings, did not know—or, somehow, did not care.

But is this fair? Not at all. She is grief-stricken and distraught. She knows that Our Lord can perform miracles. But what is the depth of her belief? She confesses that Lazarus will rise again at the time of the Resurrection—but it is at that moment that Jesus turns to her and asserts fully, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Period. Full stop.

He then calls for Lazarus, who rises from the dead—and He does this to give them all a sign that they might believe in Him. He does this knowing that the High Priest will hear of this and make the decision to kill Him to keep the people from leaving them and following Him. He does this out of love and sacrifice—that we may believe in Him. In Him is Life. Death is but a sleep. All must sleep. This life is but a brief affair. A day that ends in sleep. Eternity is Life indeed, in the Kingdom of God. Belief in Christ is the doorway to this Kingdom.

The Bible consistently acknowledges the reality of death as a part of the human experience. Ecclesiastes 3:2 declares, \\\"a time to be born, and a time to die.\\\" This inevitability of death is a universal truth, one that every person must face. The Psalmist in Psalm 90:12 prays, \\\"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.\\\" This prayer acknowledges the brevity of human life and the need to understand our days within the context of God\\\'s eternal timeline.

However, the story of Lazarus also teaches us that death is not the final chapter. In the grief and mourning over Lazarus, Jesus demonstrates His power over death, foreshadowing the greater resurrection to come through His own death and resurrection. This narrative invites us to view death through the lens of Christian hope. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, \\\"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?\\\" The rhetorical questions highlight the Christian belief in the ultimate defeat of death through Christ.

Supporting this perspective, contemporary theologian N.T. Wright in his book \\\"Surprised by Hope\\\" argues that the Christian hope in the face of death is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. Wright states, \\\"The point of the resurrection... is that death has been defeated.\\\"1 Wright\\\'s insight aligns with the narrative of Lazarus, emphasizing that our current physical existence has eternal significance and that death is a transition into a new form of life promised by God.

Wright, Nicholas Thomas. Surprised by hope: Rethinking heaven, the resurrection, and the mission of the church. (Zondervan, 2008), 50.

The shortest verse in the Bible, \\\"Jesus wept\\\" (John 11:35), holds profound significance. This moment at Lazarus\\\' tomb is a powerful illustration of Jesus\\\' deep love and compassion. His tears reveal a Savior who is not distant or detached from the pain of humanity but one who is deeply moved by it. This display of emotion by Jesus is not just a momentary lapse into human weakness; it is a profound expression of divine empathy.

In the context of Lazarus\\\' death, Jesus\\\' weeping is particularly striking because He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. Yet, He still wept. This shows that Jesus\\\' empathy extends beyond the immediate circumstances to the broader human condition of grief and loss. It reflects a deep understanding of the pain and sorrow that death brings to the human heart. In Romans 12:15, Paul encourages believers to \\\"weep with those who weep,\\\" a principle that Jesus Himself embodied at Lazarus\\\' tomb.

Furthermore, Hebrews 4:15 tells us, \\\"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.\\\" This verse shows us the empathetic nature of Jesus. He is not a distant deity; He is a Savior who has experienced the full range of human emotions and can deeply sympathize with our grief. We must be able to do the same for those experiencing grief.

In application, this aspect of Jesus\\\' character is incredibly comforting in times of grief. Knowing that Jesus wept at the loss of a friend allows those who mourn to approach Him with their pain, confident that He understands and shares in their deepest sorrows. It assures us that in our grief, we are not alone. The empathy of Jesus is a source of great comfort and strength, reminding us that our Savior is intimately acquainted with the pain of loss and is present with us in our darkest moments.

However, Our Lord is more than a mere source of comfort. Indeed, He is so much more as we shall now see.

Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)

In John 11:25-26, Jesus makes a profound declaration to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, stating, \\\"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.\\\" This statement is not merely a comforting sentiment or a metaphorical expression; it is a bold claim of divine authority over the most inescapable realities of human existence: life and death.

This claim is significant because it directly confronts the finality of death, which is the ultimate human limitation. In the biblical narrative, death is often portrayed as the last enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26). Jesus\\\' claim to be the resurrection and the life is, therefore, a declaration of victory over this final enemy. It is a promise that death does not have the last word for those who trust in Him.

The resurrection of Lazarus serves as a powerful illustration of this claim. In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus shows His authority over life and death in a tangible and unmistakable way. This miracle is a foretaste and a guarantee of the greater resurrection that He Himself would accomplish through His death and resurrection. It is important to see that Lazarus\\\' resurrection was temporary; he would eventually die again. However, it pointed to the ultimate resurrection that Jesus offers – a resurrection to eternal life.

Regarding this concept of Jesus\\\' authority over death is further explored in scholarly works, such as N.T. Wright\\\'s \\\"The Resurrection of the Son of God.\\\" Wright argues that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical event that fundamentally changes our understanding of reality. He writes that the resurrection declares that Jesus is Lord of the world, the master of life and death.2 This scholar’s perspective supports the biblical narrative, affirming that Jesus\\\' resurrection is not just a doctrinal point but a historical event that demonstrates His authority over life and death.

2 Wright, N. T. The resurrection of the Son of God. Vol. 3.spck, 2012), 10.

Belief in Jesus should transform our understanding of death. In practical terms, the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ reshapes how we approach not only our own mortality but also the loss of those dear to us. It\\\'s like viewing the horizon from two different vantage points. On one side, there\\\'s the perspective of life as we know it – finite, tangible, and bound by time. On the other side, there\\\'s the eternal perspective – where life transcends the physical and enters a realm of everlasting communion with God. This eternal perspective doesn\\\'t diminish the pain of our current loss, but it does infuse it with a sense of hope and purpose.

To apply this, we should live our current chapters with faith, hope, and love, knowing that the story doesn\\\'t end with our final earthly breath.

In our mourning, we hold onto the promise of a future reunion with those who have died in Christ

As we move from contemplating this profound promise, let us shift our focus to how this promise is not just a future expectation but also a present reality that impacts how we live our lives today.

The Question of Belief (John 11:26)

In John 11:26, Jesus poses a deeply personal question: \\\"Do you believe this?\\\" This question, asked in the context of His profound declaration about being the resurrection and the life, is not rhetorical nor is it merely philosophical. It is a direct, personal challenge to the individual\\\'s faith and understanding of who He is. This question underscores the intimate and personal nature of faith in Christ. It\\\'s not enough to acknowledge His teachings and miracles in a general sense; Jesus calls for a personal commitment and belief.

In John 11:26, the Greek text of Jesus\\\' question, \\\"Do you believe this?\\\" is pivotal for understanding its depth and significance. The key word here is \\\"?????????\\\" (pisteueis), derived from \\\"???????\\\" (pisteu?), which means \\\"to believe.\\\"3 However, the Greek concept of belief encompasses more than intellectual assent; it implies trust, reliance, and commitment. This is not merely an acknowledgment of facts but involves a personal and relational trust.

3 Mckaughan, Daniel J. \\\"Cognitive opacity and the analysis of faith: acts of faith interiorized through a glass only darkly.\\\" Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 576-585.

The use of \\\"?????????\\\" in the present indicative active form indicates a continuous action. It\\\'s not just asking if Martha believed at that moment, but whether she was living in a state of belief, continually placing her trust in Jesus. This ongoing aspect of belief is crucial in understanding the nature of faith as depicted in the New Testament. It\\\'s a sustained trust and reliance, not a one-time acknowledgment.

Furthermore, the structure of the question in Greek, with the pronoun \\\"?????\\\" (touto), translated as \\\"this,\\\" points to the specific belief in what Jesus just said about being the resurrection and the life.4 It is not justa general belief in God or in religious principles but a focused belief in the person and power of Jesus Christ as the conqueror of death and the giver of eternal life.

4 Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. https://biblehub.com/greek/3778.htm

This personal nature of Jesus\\\' question can be illustrated through numerous personal stories of faith and belief, especially in the face of death. Consider, for instance, the story of a believer who, on their deathbed, clings to the promise of resurrection in Christ. Their faith in this promise transforms their final moments from despair to hope, reflecting a deep, personal trust in Jesus\\\' words.

The argument that our response to Jesus\\\' question determines our eternal destiny is supported by contemporary theological scholarship. Timothy Keller discusses the importance of personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.5 He argues that Christianity is not just about following a set of rules or adhering to a moral code, but it is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, grounded in belief in His death and resurrection. Keller\\\'s perspective aligns with the biblical narrative, reinforcing the idea that personal faith in Christ is crucial for salvation.

5 Keller, Timothy. The reason for God: Belief in an age of skepticism. penguin, 2009.