The Resurrection and the Life (05/20/2012)

May 20, 2012 Background Scripture: John 11:1 – 44 Lesson Passage: John 11:17 – 27, 41 – 44 What is the resurrection? What are we referring to when we speak of the resurrection at the end of time? Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth helps us to at least have a common understanding as we talk “resurrection talk”. For instance, when we speak of bodily resurrection, it is important to know that we are not raised with the bodies we had lived in prior to our physical death. Just knowing that would answer many questions as it relates to the physical condition of a person prior to death. Amputated limbs or digits will not be a part of the resurrected body. In fact, all physical ailments will be banished. Paul, writing under the anointing of the Holy Ghost, wrote that the resurrected body is different than the body that is planted. Paul referred to bodies that are of the earth as terrestrial and bodies that are of the heavens as celestial. What Paul described in his letter we often refer to as a glorified body. Our most earnest desire is not to continue to live on in these corruptible bodies that are gradually deteriorating but to have our souls clothed with bodies that do not deteriorate at all. We want our minds and emotions to freely experience life in the presence of God to the fullest without the constraints and constant rebellion of sinful flesh. It is with this perspective in mind that we now focus our gaze upon the gospel of John as he writes about a conversation outside of a burial tomb. Death has invaded the family of Mary and Martha and they are experiencing grief and sincere disappointment at what they are describing as an untimely death. In other words, if their friend Jesus had responded to their summons when they sent for him, their brother Lazarus would not be dead; for surely Jesus would have healed him of his illness. Neither sister avoided letting Jesus know of their disappointment in him for not coming to them in their hour of need when they were concerned about their brother’s health. What the sisters did not know is that Jesus had purposely avoided coming to heal Lazarus even though he knew that the illness would lead to Lazarus’ physical death. Jesus’ purposeful delay was used to bring the sisters into a different awareness of the resurrection. On this occasion, Jesus would not only raise the dead—he had done this at least twice—but he would reverse the process of rigor mortis and decay. Jesus would demonstrate a power that could restore a body that was already in decay and allow that person to live and function again. This would not be a glorified body like what Paul described but it would be a demonstration of power not seen or heard of before. This is the power that overcomes dead and decayed physical bodies. Although it would not be demonstrated on this occasion, it is resurrection power that creates a glorified body that lives forever without being subject to corruption or decay. Not only did Jesus have this power, he was this power. He was not merely the one who resurrects but he is the very substance of the resurrection. The spirit of life that inhabits the resurrected body is the Spirit of Christ. Everything that makes resurrection possible is found in Jesus. So when Martha wanted to talk about a last day resurrection, Jesus re-introduced himself to her except this time it was not as a friend or a healer but as the Resurrection and the Life that is to come. Robert C. Hudson May 14, 2012