raised to walk

Before the Resurrection

Raised to Walk

This Easter, let’s look at the resurrection in a little larger context than we normally view regarding this important Christian doctrine. It is easy to focus attention on the immediate setting of the crucifixion of Jesus to the degree we miss the bigger picture the Bible portrays of the context and contrast between life and death. As we consider several lessons the Bible is teaching “before the resurrection,” remember there is a large context (life vs death) and an immediate context (the nature of a Jewish religion in the culture of the Roman Empire) for the doctrine of the resurrection.

Consider also that God tends to teach important concepts to His people by first previewing or introducing the subject, then by teaching about it in space and time, and finally by reinforcing the concept in practical, historical settings.

The Raising of Lazarus

Our Scriptural passage for the day is John 11:1-57. Many recognize a structure of the Gospel of John which focuses on signs (John 2:11) through which God reveals the glory of His Son (John 1:14). The raising of Lazarus from the grave becomes the ultimate sign of His ministry and previews the resurrection of Jesus himself. The impact of this event is multiplied exponentially by the interactions with the disciples during an unhurried journey to Bethany, the connection between beliefs about the resurrection and immediate behavior, and the understanding by Mary and Martha and the religious leaders that the resurrection changes everything.

The setting in the previous passage, John 10:22-42, reveals the immediate context of this Scripture. Jesus and the disciples had attended the winter Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. The December festival was about ninety days away from the Passover. The 11th chapter of John indicates following the raising of Lazarus the Passover feast was “at hand” (John 11:55). This phrase usually indicates the time is within the month. For more information on the immediate setting of this passage, see the Mediterranean Moments article.

This is For You

John spends a little time at the beginning of the eleventh chapter to identify the main characters in the account (John 11:1-5).  Messengers arrive to Jesus with an announcement, “The one whom you love is ill.” John uses the phrase of himself – in a very personal, yet humble way. Jesus loved the family and had a more intimate relationship with them than He did with many others. Just as the Twelve had a special place in the life of Jesus, this family occupied a similar position.

Jesus’ first statement reacting to the news is comforting. “This illness does not lead to death.”  But Jesus adds some depth to the observation. “It is for God’s glory, so the Son of God may be glorified through it.” This is one of the few times that Jesus refers to Himself directly as the “Son of God.” Jesus’ preferred title of Himself seems to be the “Son of Man.”

If there was any question about the depth of this relationship, John clarifies it completely in verse five: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” John probably uses the term “her sister” rather than her name, Mary, because there were so many women named “Mary” in the life of Jesus. The real question comes with the unexpected action that follows. “So when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was” (John 11:6 ESV). While we would have expected Jesus to drop everything and head to Bethany, He stays where He is two more days.

Jesus’ attitude toward this illness is the same as in John 9:3. The sickness provides an opportunity for “the work of God to be displayed” in His life. What is true here can be applied to every trial that a Christian faces. Our natural reaction to trials is to treat them as an intruder, getting rid of them as quickly and painlessly as possible. When we offer our trials to God and allow Him to use them as He pleases, we bring glory to His name as He works through and in the trials of life.

Perhaps the relaxed response of Jesus confused the disciples. After two days, Jesus announced they were heading to Judea (John 11:7). The disciples, ever protective of their Master, reminded Jesus that Jewish leaders were ready to arrest or kill Him. “Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep and I must wake him.” The disciples giggled under their breath. “Lord, he will wake up on his own.” Can you see Jesus shaking His head and saying, “Lazarus is dead.”

But you said his illness wouldn’t lead to death. Jesus continued more deeply, “I am glad that I was not there. This all happened for your sake, so that you may believe. Let’s go to him.”

The Believer Never Tastes Death

At this point, our expectation rests upon Peter saying something. But it isn’t Peter who speaks, but rather Thomas. Some thirty days before we have labeled him a “doubter,” Thomas speaks confident words that indicate he may understand what Jesus is trying to teach. “Let’s go with Him that we may die with Him” (John 11:16).

The disciples were no doubt puzzled as they made their way to the village near Jerusalem. Jesus had said this sickness did not lead to death, but now Jesus had clearly stated that Lazarus was dead. Jesus had never been wrong before. What did all of this mean?

Not too long ago Jesus had been teaching the very same thing. In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” In John 8:51, Jesus responds to accusations by the Pharisees, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Pharisees changed the wording to “taste death,” but Jesus did not correct them.

You will never taste death. Those are powerful words – but especially in light of the circumstance with Lazarus. “Jesus must have been wrong,” you can almost hear the skeptic murmuring. Death is all around; it has claimed another victim.

Outside Target Stadium in Minneapolis, the home of baseball’s Minnesota Twins, rests a plaque commemorating an historic event. At the location, just outside of Gate 34, exactly 520 feet from home plate stands a statue of a golden glove. The spot marks the landing of the longest home run ever hit by any Twins player – hit by Harmon Killebrew, Hall of Fame third and first baseman. On June 3, 1967 Killebrew launched one of his 573 home runs an amazing 520 feet, a record that, as of 2020. still holds for the Twins.

On May 13th, 2011, Killebrew left an even greater statue, written in a powerful blog on his website.

It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end. With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease. My illness has progressed beyond my doctor’s expectation of cure.

On that evening, Killebrew entered hospice care preparing to die. Four days later, the man nicknamed “The Killer” and “Hammerin’ Harmon” passed away. It did not matter how many home runs he hit. There was no care given to his amazing career. Death is the great equalizer. You live; you die.

Or did he? Did Lazarus? Jesus says to Martha, outside of the grave of her brother, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26 ESV). Though he die, he never dies.

Jesus taught the same thing earlier in John’s gospel. In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” In John 8:51, Jesus responds to accusations by the Pharisees, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

Martha, do you believe this? Really? Are you ready for Lazarus to be raised to walk?

We Get What This Means

Mary and Martha believed in the resurrection of the dead, but they believed that it happened later, before heaven and at the judgment. Jesus wants them to look at the reality of a resurrection right now. The resurrection makes us be raised to walk differently. The Pharisees understood the implications of this teaching. “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:48). From this point on, the Jewish religious leaders made specific plans on how to kill Jesus. They didn’t understand that Jesus was saying, “You cannot kill me.”

Life versus Death

The reason is that death is bigger than an event that marks the end of the body’s life. Death is what many people live every day. Since Adam’s sin, death has reigned through people on earth. The expression, “This has been a living hell,” has more truth to it than most realize. Because of death, two things dominate our lives – fear and guilt. The fear of death produces a pervasive bondage that is inescapable and unending. The condemnation of guilt shackles us to the wall, keeping us from ever touching the healing powers of life.

“Don’t you know … We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4 ESV). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV).

We don’t have to live like this anymore. Was that what Jesus meant when He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV)?

Raised to Walk

I remember the words from almost sixty years ago, just as clearly had it been only sixty seconds. Warren Robbins, minister of the Plainfield Christian Church, rested the head of a nine-year-old boy in the palm of his hand. Bending at his back, he lowered the quiet and still body into a pool of less than warm water. Family, friends and curious strangers gazed at the ceremony taking place behind the shadows of the church pulpit.

“Buried with Him in the likeness of His death. Raised to walk in newness of life.”

I wonder if the words rang just as loudly in the ears of Lazarus for the remainder of his earthly years. I would imagine that he clings to them even now.

“Lazarus, come forth.”

If death was all around you – close enough to touch, poignant enough to smell, etched forever into the granite of your vision  – and somehow you evaded its snare and walked away, wouldn’t you walk differently? Wouldn’t your life be filled with a humbling wonder of how and why your life continued? Could you keep your tongue from shouting your experiences to everyone who would listen? The realization that you had been raised to walk again would be an explosive, volcanic force in your life for the rest of your days.

Raised to walk in a newness of life.

winds of change

A couple of years ago I was with a fairly non-religious group of people on Ash Wednesday and the conversation turned in a way that surprised me. “What are you giving up for Lent?” the older, curmudgeonly gentleman asked. “Cheese” was a young lady’s quick reply. “I am giving up cheese. The doctors suspect that I have a lactose intolerance, and this seems like a good opportunity to test the theory.”

“I am giving up playing the Lotto,” answered another. “The money that I save will more than pay for our Spring Break trip to Panama City.”

My cantankerous friend, who posed the question, smirked as he was about to posture the definitive answer. “This year I am giving up Lent.”

It’s kind of ironic; we sacrifice things that are marginal, often for our own benefit. Perhaps more appropriate would be forcing ourselves to do something. Instead of fasting an afternoon or giving up meat on Fridays, we should force ourselves to eat something that we don’t like.

Brussels sprouts.

Enough said.

The History of Lent

Truthfully, fewer and fewer people are aware of Christianity’s heritage, including Lent, a tradition that dates back to the second century in the early church. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it can fall as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th. The 40 day period (not counting Sundays; they are considered a “mini-Easter” in the Catholic Church) is to be reflective of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

Ash Wednesday takes its name from the practice of placing ashes across the foreheads of the participants in the form of a cross. Its purpose was to cause people to celebrate the day, to remind us of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance before God. Traditionally, the ashes used were gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services.

In the Catholic Church, the time of Lent emphasizes prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. The Vatican Council II placed greater emphasis upon Lent as a time to “hear God’s word more frequently and devote more time to prayer” (no. 109). The word “lent” itself is from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.”

Evidence of a time of preparation for Easter surfaces early in church history. Irenaeus (c130 – c200) wrote to Pope Victor I about the different practices in preparing for Easter Sunday. Historian Eusebius (c275-339) writes that such observances did not originate in his time, but in the time of our forefathers (Eusebius, Church History). In 325, the Council of Nicea discussed a 40-day Lenten season of fasting.

The Symbolism of 40

Numbers play a significant role in the Bible. “Forty” often paints a picture of waiting and preparation. Noah and his family are shut up in the ark, enduring the deluge of water from the heavens for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:17). Moses spends another 40 days and nights on top of Mount Sinai, without food or drink, as he experiences the presence of God (Exodus 34:28). Later God’s patience with Israel has worn thin and he sentences them to wandering in the desert for 40 years, punishment for their grumbling and idol worship.

Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness, preparing for the beginning of his earthly ministry by a time of prayer and fasting.

Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.

Mother teresa

It is also very telling that during this time of physical sacrifice and spiritual reflection and renewal, Satan chose that opportune moment to throw everything that he could at Jesus.

 

Fasting

Fasting became an important ingredient in keeping the traditions of Lent. Rules for fasting varied, but a couple of characteristics seemed to be most noticeable. Many abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, though some made exceptions for fish. In the fifth century, Pope Gregory wrote to the Bishop of Canterbury saying, “We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs.”

Over the years, modifications to fasting were adopted. Dispensations were first given if a pious work was performed. Soon a person could have one meal a day, either in the evening or at 3:00pm. Today the only days of real fasting are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many abstain from meat on Fridays, replacing meat with fish.

Sacrifice

The current traditions still encourage people to “give up something” for Lent. This becomes a sacrifice, symbolically remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. Technically, Sundays are exempt so one could partake of the items sacrificed for Lent once a week.

Prayer & Study

The purpose of the 40-day time of Lent is to help you disconnect from the regular habits and patterns of this world. Breaking the comfortable ways can allow you to connect to God in new, different and more meaningful ways. Fasting separates you from the eating habits and lifestyles formed over time. Replacing the way you spend your leisure time with prayer and Bible study assists in leading you to the very presence of God.

The Xavier University website offers this prayer:

Almighty and ever living God,
You invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking  you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.

Because each week contains a Sunday of worship and celebration, each week allows you to recommit and rekindle your desire to grow closer to God in this journey. Lent is about self-discovery, self-sacrifice and personal discipline.

Value for All

While Lent is a Catholic tradition, many other denominations follow similar practices, including Western Orthodox Churches, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopal churches. In a study conducted in 2014, a little over 70% of adults knew what Lent was. Of those who participate in Lent, almost 90% if people were giving up a food item for the 40 days. Chocolate was the food people were most likely to give up.

The practice of observing Lent remains in the discretion of each believer. While it is not an observance required by the Bible, the benefits of 40 days of prayer, fasting and study seem obvious to most. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of keeping traditions in the lives of the faithful.

 

 

One Step Closer to rest with the Father

I have always loved “punny” humor – gags that were built around clever uses and misuses of the English language. I enjoyed “dad jokes” long before I was a dad and long before I knew that they had any jokes. I would stay up to watch Johnny Carson when he had guests like Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, Rodney Dangerfield, or Groucho Marx on his show.

Yesterday I watched one of the greatest “dad joke” movies ever made. Leslie Nielsen carved a second career around a specific genre of comedic movies. His first was the movie Airplane! It handles a broad range of satire and silliness to perfection. The movie was made in 1980 to poke fun at the disaster films of the era.

As we were watching the movie, I would announce when a particularly clever scene was about to appear. Here is where he first has his drinking problem. Here is where he is going to pull out the electrical cord. Here is where Nielsen is going to say,

“Can you fly this plane and land it?”

“Surely you can’t be serious.”

“I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”

I wanted everyone to be prepared to watch. Humor was on its way and it shouldn’t be missed.  Let’s all enjoy this together.

Sometimes we announce bad news the same way, so that all can be prepared for it. Bad weather is approaching. The worst is yet to come for the virus crisis. The stock markets will take a hit.

Before the events of the arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus told the disciples how the events would unfold. “I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does you may believe.”

We tell people ahead of time so they wont miss what is coming. We warn them so they can be prepared. We don’t want them to be surprised. We want them to understand how to handle the circumstance.

Jesus had been telling the disciples what was going to happen so they might be prepared. On several occasions, Jesus looked ahead to the events of this week and warned the disciples. He wanted them to be prepared. He wanted them to believe.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Matthew 16:21 ESV).

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Matthew 17:22 ESV).

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again (Mark 8:31 ESV).

J.K. Rowling, in the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, “Enter, stranger, but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn.”

Take heed of what awaits.

On this, the last Thursday of the earthly ministry of Jesus, He was delivered before the chief priests, elders and scribes. He was given the sentence of death and condemned. Honor Jesus on this day by reading some of the account of the crucifixion from the gospels. You can find a good summary by reading Mark 15:16-19, Mark 15:20-23, Mark 15:24-37; Mark 15:38-41 and Mark 15:42-47.

According to the polling website, Rasmussen Reports, at the last election, voters believed more strongly than before that the president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world. They see the position as the leader of the world community and that the level of power that is in the office is appropriate.

Since 2009, Forbes magazine has published an annual issue featuring the “World’s Most Powerful People.” Vladimir Putin of Russia has been awarded the recognition twice. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi top the list. The Forbes’  list not only includes political rulers, but also business executives like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

What makes a person powerful? We probably should think a moment about the difference between power and influence. Power forces people to compete a task, while influence leads them to understand why the task is necessary. In his latest book, Power: Why Some People Have It and Other’s Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer says there are two sources of power. The first is bases on a person’s title – the former position of power. The second is informal or personal power. This is not based on your position, but on your abilities, knowledge and skills. You have heard the expression, “information is power.” Are you perceived as being an expert in an area? Pfeffer says you have the power, the question is “Do you know how to use it?”

When things go wrong, or deviate from the prescribed plan, people assume things are out of control and the person in charge has lost power and influence.

In the Upper Room, the lives of the disciples are beginning to spin at an unmanageable pace. Does God know what He is doing? Is He still in control? Where is God when we are hurting? These important questions are a part of our obedience to God and our perception of His will in our lives.

The disciples had to be thinking, “What is our world coming to?” Jesus’ answer to the disciples  is the exact answer that He would say to us today, whether we are contemplating wars, rumors of wars, or the coronavirus. The reality is we live in a world where Satan reigns. We live in a godless world. There is another force who is at work.

John records Jesus saying that Satan is the ruler of this world four times. When we are swamped with difficulties and challenges that rival the Old Testament character Job, we should not be confused about their origins. We live in a world that chosen to follow the wiles and the deception that is the Devil.

Sin has left its flavor on the world. Our own decisions have narrowed our choices while increasing our liabilities. When things don’t go the way we planned, let’s place the blame at the right place.

The ruler of this world has nothing to do with Jesus.

On the last Wednesday of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He seemed to spend the day wrestling with the prince of this world. Disciples arguing over who would be greatest, lessons about what it means to be a servant, predictions of denial and betrayal, and agonizing prayers in the garden seem to remind us that Satan has a stronghold on this world. Honor Jesus today by reading these important Scriptures, always remembering that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world: John 8:44-47, John 12:31-33, John 14:30, John 16:11, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 6:12-13, 1 Peter 5:8-10

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Petra

What is your favorite Easter song? My favorite Easter song was performed by Petra, a music group regarded as the one of the foundations of Christian rock and contemporary Christian music. The song is titled, Grave Robber, and was written by Petra band member Bob Hartman.

There’s a step that we all take alone
An appointment we have with the great unknown
Like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass
Like the flowers that fade, like the withering grass
But life seems so long and death so complete
And the grave an impossible portion to cheat
But there’s One who has been there and still lives to tell
There is One who has been through both heaven and hell
And the grave will come up empty-handed that day
Jesus will come and steal us away

(Chorus)
Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies

Many still mourn and many still weep
For those that they love who have fallen asleep
But we have this hope though our hearts may still ache
Just one shout from above and they all will awake
And in the reunion of joy we will see
Death will be swallowed in sweet victory

 

Grave Robber: More Than Just a Song

Grave robber – it sounds more like something out of a world wrestling match than church, doesn’t it? Maybe that is a far more appropriate imagery than a hallelujah or a lilly. Paul says we wrestle – not against flesh and blood – but against powers and principalities. And for centuries, we wrestled against death – and lost.

If I understand what happened on the day that Christ rose from the grave, death died.

Since Adam in the Garden, death had reigned day after day, generation after generation. From the time of a birth, mankind simply waited for the time of a death. From the moment that Adam and Eve buried Abel, people have paused respectfully at tombs, gathered together in cemeteries, planted flowers and gazed and remembered. And death smiled. Laughed. Champion again. Undefeated. Still holding the belts. Longest reigning ever.

And today, if you and I were to visit cemeteries

and look for

 

Grandpa May, whom I never knew

Grandma May

James Thomas, Uncle Wes’ son

Uncle Lloyd

Uncle Herb

Aunt Reba

Aunt Sylvia

Aunt Flossie

Aunt Emma

Uncle Wes

Sharon, a teen-aged girl, and the first funeral I ever officiated

Grandpa

Chuck

Dad

Bama

Grandma

Joe, the one who got away

Dean

Joyce

Jacob

Mom

Scott

Rich

Renae

 

Your loved one

 

We would be struck by seeing a man, relaxed, waiting, almost anticipating our arrival. Sitting on the headstone. Glistening. White. Radiant.

With a slight smile on his face, he whispers, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

He is not here.

She is not here.

Never was.

Never will be!

 

A Reason for our Hope

For death, you see, not only does not reign – it doesn’t even need to be considered.

Useless.

Impotent.

Stingless. Defeated.

Robbed.

 

And a grin bursts over our faces.

They are not here.

They are risen!