Yesterday’s reading and sermon were about Lazarus, the very good friend of Jesus, who died only to have Jesus arrive and raise him from the dead. It is the section of John’s Gospel with the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept”. A good indication of how much Jesus loved his friend Lazarus.

Jesus could have been at the bed of sick Lazarus before he died but instead, he delayed his journey. Why? So he could demonstrate his statement, “I am the resurrection and the life”. It highlighted the claim to have power over death! From John 11 on, the Gospel writer turns from Jesus performing miracles, though those continue, to the repeating message that He (Jesus) will give his life for our sake, that our sins would be forgiven.

The disciples and many followers were looking for Jesus to overthrow the Romans and free Israel to be an independent nation. But even so, the leaders of Israel are so worried that these miracles are wooing people that they begin to plan his arrest and death.

The raising of Lazarus is a turning point in the Gospel of John!

And it is a great reminder that we are people of the resurrection! Death in this world only leads to life in Jesus if we have asked God for forgiveness and placed our trust in Him.

Choosing life seems so much better than death.