March 20 For Their Sake

John 11:11-16 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
 
JESUS has just talked to his disciples about working in the “daylight”. This is his example to do what needs to be done to minister the gospel, even if people oppose you. Now Jesus points them to a “daylight” task. He will resurrect Lazarus from the grave.
    But he says this indirectly, doesn’t he? When he says, “Lazarus sleeps.” Jesus uses a common reference to death of that day. And, of course, to wake up a dead person means resurrection. Jesus has raised at least two people in his ministry. His disciples would quickly and joyously accept the plan. Why, then, does he use “sleep” to define death?
    I believe the Lord of Life uses this metaphor to illustrate the gospel’s sure comfort, assurance and hope. As we are alive in the power of Jesus’ resurrection, we will never die. Not only is John 3:16 a good memory verse, we must have faith to remember Jesus’ resurrection promise of that passage: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Believe in God. You will never perish. You will live forever.
    In Jesus, then, our physical death is a sure, joyous passage into heaven’s eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
    Remember, Jesus is urgent to prepare his disciples to minister the gospel. They must fully, without any hesitation, give themselves to the work of Christ because death on earth is the entrance to life in heaven. This faith will empower them to truly live into Thomas’ words, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
    How much of your life are you willing to give to the gospel’s promise? Are you willing to stand firm, to labor for the Lord? Do you know your work for Jesus always impacts his world?  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your sure promise of eternal life. In comfort, strength and joy we live in the anticipation of life forever with you. Amen.