The resurrection is a person. Read John 11:25-27. We normally see the resurrection as an event that happened 2000 years ago when Jesus came back to life. Before the death and resurrection of Jesus, he called disciples, healed the sick, and taught the people. We consider Mary, Martha, and Lazarus his friends in Bethany, a town near Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples often stayed there, as we believe he did during Holy Week, when Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem each day to teach in the Temple courtyard and on the steps. The Apostle John records that while Jesus was teaching in the area of the Jordan River, he received word that Lazarus was very ill. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Martha came out to greet him with the news that Lazarus had already died and was put in a tomb. As the discussion continues, Jesus makes an astounding claim, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Then he asks Martha, “Do you believe this?” It really put Martha on the spot. No one ever claimed to be the resurrection before. Martha’s response is epic: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” Martha’s confession is the confession of a true follower of Jesus. When Mary reaches them, Jesus weeps with them. They go to the tomb together, and Jesus gives the command to remove the stone from the entrance of the tomb. This request disturbs the sisters and everyone else, but they do as Jesus says. Jesus commands, “Lazarus, come out!” Can you imagine being the person closest to the tomb? First, you hear Jesus, then you hear something in the tomb. The next thing you know, Lazarus walks out of the tomb. You take a peek inside the tomb and, sure enough, the tomb is empty. Before the resurrection was an event, the resurrection was a person, and his name was Jesus. Mary and Martha experience Jesus as the one who brings people back to life. Put yourself at the empty tomb, see, and believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, the Messiah, the Son of God.

Prayer: Most awesome God, you sent Jesus to be the resurrection among us. We believe. Our lives belong to you. Help us to live as people who are prepared to die and to be hopeful that, through death, we might live with the Resurrected One. Amen.