Natural death and criminal murder each lead to questions. How many questions do you see in John 11? How does Jesus provide the final answer? (Hint: See verses 25 and 26.)

In Luke 10:38-42, we found Martha busy in the kitchen and Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet with the men listening to Jesus teach. Somewhere along the way, Martha sat at his feet as well. Take a look at what she says about the resurrection and about who Jesus is in verses 24 and 27. Her theology was several steps ahead of just about everyone, apostles included. 

Mary and Martha each held to a fundamental truth, the same truth some in the crowd wondered about (See verse 37.). If Jesus had been there while Lazarus was sick and dying, Jesus could have healed him. Now they would have to wait until the Kingdom finally came “at the last day,” (verse 24). 

Let us pause to reflect on this fact: Jesus never preached a funeral. He only resuscitated the dead. 

Jesus has one command for those who die knowing him for who he is. Here he says it this way: “Lazarus, come out!” (verse 43). To the widow’s only son, he says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (See Luke 7:14.) To a twelve-year-old girl, he says, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”),” (Mark 5:41).

A popular worship song says, “Get up, get up, get up out of that grave,” (Maverick City, Get Up Out of That Grave). (Just in case your morning needs a boost, here’s a YouTube video of the song: [https://muslyrics.com/lyrics/get-up-out-of-that-grave-maverick-city-upperroom/])

Should you die knowing Jesus as your Savior, you will experience the truth of Jesus’ words in John 11:26: “whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Death is not the end of the story. Two sisters and a brother shared many experiences and memories. Now each one of them would forevermore fear not death. They knew the rest of the story. 

Do you?

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I will trust Jesus who is the Resurrection and the Life.

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