Death is dead
Jesus looked up and said, ‘I thank you, Father, that you listen to me. I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me.’ After he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ He came out, his hands and feet wrapped in grave cloths, and with a cloth around his head. ‘Untie him,’ Jesus told them, ‘and let him go.’ (verses 41b-44)
The raising of Lazarus was not just an act of divine showmanship on Jesus’ part. The release of Lazarus from death, along with three other people whom Jesus raised from the dead, is living proof that ordinary people are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ conquest over death at Easter.
You can take comfort from this story. Our Lord performed this miracle so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. In so believing, you will have life (John 20:31). You too, beyond the grave, will one day hear the voice of Jesus call out your name. With the words ‘Come out!’ he will usher you out from death and into everlasting life.
Dearest Jesus, Lord of life, to you death is no more than a momentary sleep. Help me to live each day with reverence for the life you have won for me at Easter. Amen.
by Rev Simon Cooper in the LCA book ‘Living Water for Each Day’ (Openbook, 2001)
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