"A Dead Man Walking”

In Jesus Holy Name March 22.2026

Text: John 11:1ff Easter VI Redeemer

“Dead man walking”

There is a recent TV commercial that is trying to sell life insurance I am getting tired of hearing it but it will serve my purpose today.

“Death is not something we talk about in our culture, but we all will die. My Father had a stroke at 61 and died but he had life insurance that took care of my mother. Everyone should buy life insurance, That’s why I have life insurance for my family. Ethos is simple and easy.

M getting tired of it but it provides an opening comment for me today. There Are three important messages for us in this chapter. 1St Its about belief of Mary and Martha and the unbelief of the Pharisees. 2nd We under stand the power of Jesus over death and the giver of eternal life.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus didn’t need life insurance they had Jesus. So when Lazarus became ill they would call Jesus. There were no cell phones, no e mail. So they had to send someone out to find Jesus. Jesus had enjoyed a special friendship with Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus. There home was in Bethany, a town of less than two miles east of Jerusalem. When in Jerusalem Jesus would preach, teach, and heal the sick. Then, for rest and renewal, Jesus would retreat to Bethany and enjoy the hospitality and companionship of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. According to Chapter 10 Jesus was near the Jordan where John had been baptizing.. a few miles south of Jerusalem .Bethany is about 2 miles north of Jerusalem

WE know that Jesus has been in weekly battles with the Pharisees and their lack of belief. One of my favorite examples is at the winter feast of Dedication in Jerusalem where Jesus is when Lazarus become ill. John writes: At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, hin the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do lin my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Will they ever believe? WE Will have the answer at the end of this event in Bethany.

Thus we come to chapter 11 the illness, death and restoration of life to Lazarus. Notice I did not say resurrection to life because this not the resurrection when Jesus returns at the end of history. Let me give a little backgrouind.

Meanwhile Lazarus was loosing ground. The sisters were frustrated... When Jesus gets a message its not good news His good friend is in hospice care. He is gravely ill He is dying. After receiving the message, he said: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus has fallen asleep. I am gpoimg there to wake him up.

This story is only in John but there are two other similar stories in Luke (Jarius’ daughter and the son of the widow from Nain were both brought back to life. By Jesus. (John 11:3 NRSV) Mary and Martha knew Jesus could heal their brother. But why is it taking so long for Him to come? Mary and Martha waited and watched the road, expecting Jesus to come quickly. But He did not come. Hours dragged into anxious days. Meanwhile Lazarus was loosing ground. Jesus said to his disciples this sickness will not end in death but God’s Glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it. Jesus stayed two more days. Then after two days Jesus said let’s go back to Judea

Lazares died. Mary, Martha And many friends had come to their house for “Shiva” They knew Lazarus heart had stopped beating They wrapped him in grave clothes and buried him.