Statement five... part 1...

I mentioned one day when I shared this with some folks that the alleviation of fear is important to all people.  This is an absolute truth, for every single person on the planet.  So by this point, we should be pretty fired up that four major fears have been dealt with for all eternity: we won't be searching for that which fills our souls, because Jesus is the Bread; we won't stumble in the darkness of sin, because Jesus is the Light; we know where to go, because Jesus is the Door; we are protected from hell and damnation, as well as from the devil's assaults on our souls, because Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  Four serious concerns, all gone, forever and ever, amen.  And then we come to this moment in Bethany...

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.  Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die - ever.  Do you believe this?'"

John 11:25-26, HCSB

Let's lay the scene a bit.  Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was ill, and then further word that he had died.  It has been four days since Lazarus passed, and the sisters of the man are wrought with grief.  They are questioning why Jesus didn't come sooner, because He could've prevented this death.  This Statement is made to assure one of the sisters, Martha, that Jesus has dominion and authority over all things... including death.

Knowing all of that, we need to dig a little deeper.  In my profession, I have the privilege to watch many rituals at funerals, and I have the backing of studying all of the cultural and historical aspects of funeral service.  We loving refer to what we do as "the world's second-oldest profession," because the funeral practices of mankind go back a lot farther than the average person might think.  For example, the term "wake," while highly antiquated in today's society, was actually brought on by the three day ritual of washing a person with warm water to ensure they were actually dead.  If ill or in a deep sleep, the water and the washing would awaken them.  Further, in most societies during the time of Christ, a three day waiting period was pretty standard.  Therefore, the people in Bethany have clearly established that Lazarus is, by their definition and understanding, truly dead.

Also, it is important to note that the audience gathered here has no knowledge of the Resurrection as we do, so their understanding of death is EXTREMELY limited.  They have no hope, because they operate under a system based entirely upon works, one which has been twisted and turned to work for the benefit of the corrupt leadership in place.  If they don't do/serve/give enough, they won't make it, and they'll spend eternity in Sheol.  And really, who wants to do that?  Therefore, they live in total, paralyzing fear of what death is and what it brings.  Just so you are aware, there are many people today who also live in that same fear... I pray that you are not among them.

So to close this portion, we need to look at the truths of the moment, in that there was a dead man, there was a serious fear, and there were people (a whole town of them) all present to see what was about to happen.  However, before they could see the Sign that was coming, Martha had the blessed privilege to hear Jesus speak a truth about Himself that would alleviate one more serious fear: He IS the resurrection!

God bless you all!!!