My parents have never been bashful to speak of their funerals. My sisters and I know the songs they want sung and who they want to sing them, open or closed casket, and what they definitely don”t want said when that time comes. Personally, this always was a bit “much” for me. I believe ”morbid” was the term I used to describe those conversations. I would always feel the lump in my throat begin to swell as the “funeral talk” began, and immediately, with bloodshot eyes, I would politely ask for a change of subject. Every single time I did that, Dad would always look at me and very seriously order me to not to grieve his death…not now…not ever. Instead, he would challenge my sisters and me to understand the reality of death; but better yet, the need for death.
I saw the point he was trying to teach us in those moments, but I never wanted to spend any more time pondering it than was necessary. However, this weekend at church I was confronted with this truth by way of the Scripture passage in John 11:1-44. It’s the familiar story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I’ve heard it many times, but this time, I truly saw and was forced to ponder that which what my Dad had been trying to truly teach us amidst all the “funeral talk.” In this passage, Jesus had just received word from Mary and Martha that Lazarus was sick. Jesus’ response in verse 4 is what got me… He responds by saying that his (Lazarus) sickness would not ultimately lead to death, but rather to the glory of God in Him (Jesus). There’s definitely tons to be said of this verse, however, the main idea was that Jesus was 1.) reminding and comforting Mary and Martha with His sovereignty, especially in death and 2.) more importantly, Jesus was pointing out that death was the means by which one could gain life. Jesus reaffirms this truth later in verse 25 when He proclaims to Martha in the midst of her momentary unbelief that He is “the resurrection and the life.” Jesus spoke to all of this regarding His future crucifixion and resurrection. Through His death, Jesus would bring Life to all…but only to those who believed. Exclamation points sounded off in my head! This was exactly what Dad was trying to teach us by the “need for death.” My eyes were opening a little wider now.
I realized that here Jesus is essentially making the call to believe in Him…to Mary, Martha, and all else that were there to witness the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. For us today, the challenge is the same…to believe in Him and find life! As He is the one to call Lazarus to rise and come forth from his tomb to walk in the newness of life, Jesus is also calling us to die to ourselves, and to rise to life in Him. Romans 6:4 says “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raise from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.” Before Christ, we were dead in our sin, without hope, damned for eternal wrath. Thus the need for death. Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for our earthly bodies to be resurrected into newness of life.
In the same way, Jesus wanted the people there that day of Lazarus’ resurrection to understand their need to die to themselves, and believe in Him. He wanted them to understand that death was only gain for those who believe in Him. He knew that by His own blood, death would one day (at that time) be conquered, and in Him, all could see that He truly is the one “resurrection and the life.” Because of His sacrifice and resurrection, those that follow Him will be resurrected both physically and spiritually.
Resurrection of our physical bodies will of course occur in the last day when we are called to Him. However, Jesus came to proclaim the truth of spiritual resurrection. The truth is that as long as we are a part of this world, we are walking in an endless fog of death. But Jesus came to free us to walk in the light of life. By believing that He is the “resurrection and the life,” death has no sting. Not today, tomorrow, or ever. That is what Jesus wanted Mary, Martha, his disciples, and all else to see and know that day. No doubt they saw it as Lazarus walked out of that tomb, dressings, stench, and all. But I wonder if they knew the Truth that Jesus was trying to teach them, or whether they continued in their unbelief. Obviously, thats not up to me to question. However, it is hard to think that someone would have a hard time believing in the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ after witnessing such power as resurrecting a 4 day-old corpse. But then again, isn’t that our problem today too? We must die to ourselves, cast off our unbelief, and place our trust in Jesus Christ.
Today, my eyes still water at the thought of losing my parents one day…and my dad would not argue against that. However, he did want to make sure that the attitude of my heart was right. He wanted to remind me that my grief should be a righteous grief, rather than one out of pride and bitterness. I am thankful that Lord forced me to ponder this passage. Now I know that any tears on that day will be less of those tears that Dad warned me against. I have a greater gratitude in my heart, knowing that Christ came to die so that when He does will for my parents to leave this world, they will not die to sleep but die to live!
Though I do want to be in the presence of the ones that I love as long as possible, I would not wish that anyone wage this earthly battle any longer than they have to. As 2 Corinthians 5:6 says, “while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” With that, I pray that all may find their need for death, so that when their day does come, the noise and clanging of the present war waging will cease, and all they will hear is silence, only to be broken by the words of Life Himself as He gently says “Well done…”
