September 13
DebDay 183: Back From the Dead
John chapter 11 tells us the story of Lazarus. Lazarus of Bethany. Raised from the dead. Sisters Mary and Martha witness the whole spectacle. So do the "Jews," the religious leaders.
Upon Jesus calling Lazarus back to life, Mary and Martha worship, and the Jewish religious leaders commit to bringing about Jesus's death.
These leaders were already a threat to Jesus. So much so that the guys following Jesus from town to town didn't want to go back to Bethany in Judea. It hadn't all gone well the last time they were there.
But follow Jesus to Bethany they do - and one of the disciples responds with "Let's go then, and go die with him." Not meaning, die like Lazarus, but go die with Jesus.
Devoting one's life to following Jesus takes great risk. If something is to be raised from the dead, then something first has to die. None of us go looking for death, especially any death that involves ourselves.
The recently departed Eugene Peterson wrote this: “Some people come to church looking for a way to make life better and feel good about themselves. To see things in a better light. They arrange a ritual and hire a preacher to make that happen for them.
Other people come to church because they want God to save and rule them. They accept the fact that there are temptations and sufferings and sacrifices involved in leaving a way of life in which they are in control and plunging into an uncertain existence in which GOD is in control.
One group of people sees religion as a way to successful happy living. The other group sees religion as a way in which hurt, flawed and damaged persons become whole in relation to God.
One way is the way of enhancing what I want. The other way is a commitment of myself to become what God wants.”
Today's sunny day presents a challenge for each of us. Will I do what I want, because I deserve to foster a day devoted to my wants and pleasures? Or will I gather with others who have been brought back from the dead, and worship the One who brings life?
What kind of life do I want to be eternal?
John 11:25-26 says, "Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
Because Jesus is "the resurrection and the life."
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
