Recently at the company I work for, Firestone Building Products, we have experienced the death of several teammates. One was a man whom I had known well, traveled with frequently, and spoken to often. Another was a manager within our IT department, a man with whom I had had less interaction but still had known. Still another was a husband of an employee. Three individuals whom experienced the end of their life through very different situations. Yet, each were unaware of the day and hour by which it would occur. Experiencing death makes us recall and reflect upon life.
There are some in this world who mistakenly claim that "Death is a normal part of life". We live and we die. That's it. We shouldn't expect more. We shouldn't be upset with it. We simply "pass away" and enter into a restful and peaceful place. In fact, our loved one goes to "a better place" and "is free from pain now". Unfortunately, all of these therapeutic statements hide a very basic fact.
Death is an affront to life. Death is an enemy to the living. Death attacks that which we hold most sacred - life. Death is the ultimate end to that which was created to be eternal. It ought to bother us. It ought to grieve us. It ought to anger us. It ought to be painful and hurtful. Our reactions to it are an indication of our understanding of it as an enemy, as THE enemy.
We recognize this but rarely state it as such. Death divides and conquers. It destroys life. It doesn't calmly and collectively ask us for permission or verify that such an event fits in our schedule. It is as violating to us as rape or murder. It takes, ravishes, steals, and brutally takes vengeance upon our lives for the sinful decisions made throughout. It is an enemy to all of mankind. It cannot be quenched and will not be satisfied. Each of us will fall victim to its attack upon us.
In thinking about this, I was reminded of the story of Jesus and Lazarus found in John chapter 11. In it, Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is sick. Yet, instead of going to him immediately He waits. When He arrives, He meets Martha the sister of Lazarus and has a conversation with her which is recorded in verses 21-27. It states:
Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."
I learned 2 primary things from this passage:
1. It's O.K. to Grieve.
Notice what Jesus doesn't do. He doesn't criticize Martha for grieving. He allows her to do so. Martha was not happy with Jesus and basically tells Him as much. When Martha spoke to Jesus and stated that if He had been there Lazarus would have lived she spoke in frustration (11:21). Notice though that Jesus doesn't chastise her for that. He doesn't say "Why aren't you celebrating his life? What's wrong with you!" No, recognizing her pain He sympathesizes. He doesn't criticize or condemn. The Bible states that God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18).
Also, Jesus Himself grieves. Later in the story on the way to raise Lazarus from the grave we find that Jesus is overcome with emotion. In the shortest verse of the Bible we read that "Jesus wept" (11:35). Sometimes its appropriate to celebrate. Other times its appropriate to grieve.
2. It's Your Focus That Matters.
However, the most important thing in this passage is to recognize not only what He didn't do but what He did do. So, what does Jesus do? He asks Martha to fix her eyes upon Him. He is concerned with her focus. He wants it to be upon Him. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the One whom has the power over death and demonstrates it her shortly thereafter. He is also the One who one day will die on a cross and be raised again three days later.
This is why His resurrection is so significant. This is why we can have hope. This is why Jesus alone is both Lord and King. He alone has risen and eternally lives. God cannot die. He is often referred to as the "Living God". Neither could Jesus. The grave could not hold back divinity. He alone is capable of such a feat and in Him alone is our ability to do the same. In Him, we have life. Apart from Him we cannot. It is this Jesus who triumphed over death.
Death is a violation to that which was created. It is not simply "unfortunate" and it is not simply "a normal part of life". It is a violation. It is an affront. It is a judgment laid upon the guilty. Yet, it is not the end. Jesus pointed this out to Martha. He asks her to focus on Him. He wants us to realize the same. "Do you believe this?" (11:26) He asks her.
My question for you is the same, "Do you believe this?" Do you believe that He alone has conquered sin, death, and the grave? If so, place your trust and confidence in Him. Place your faith upon His finished work and live accordingly.
Fix your eyes upon Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the King whom has already conquered Death, our ultimate enemy.
Joshua
