Jesus had known for some days that Martha’s brother Lazarus was seriously ill, but he had not gone to them straight away. When he finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Martha clearly regretted Jesus had taken so long. She immediately blurted out: “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Nevertheless, Martha was confident of Jesus, and shortly afterwards, this was fully justified – Jesus raised Lazarus from death.

We can’t be sure why Jesus decided to delay his visit to see his friends in Bethany but, arriving four days after his death, no one could possibly question whether he was indeed dead. So, when he was resurrected, there was no doubt that it was completely miraculous. Jesus had already spoken of the way in which his ministry brought life to people, but now he was going much further. He was claiming that he, personally, was that life. He was both the resurrection and the life.

No one can deny the fact of death, but in Jesus, it takes on a completely new significance. When Jesus gives his life, it is eternal, so nothing can bring it to an end. Even death can’t get in the way. The apostle Paul mocked death when he wrote to the church in Corinth. To use his words: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). The thought of death being the end has completely disappeared as we acknowledge that Jesus is both the resurrection and the life.

How do you understand death and what lies beyond?

Lord Jesus Christ, I worship you because you are both the resurrection and the life. Thank you that the future is something I can look forward to with confidence and joy. Amen