Introduction

Good morning, beloved family. We gather here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the beautiful tapestry of our faith. We come together, not as individuals, but as a collective body of Christ, united in love, faith, and purpose. Today, we are here to engage with a powerful message, a message that resonates with the very core of our being, a message that affirms our faith in the One who holds the universe in His hands - Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We will be turning our hearts and minds to the Gospel of John, specifically, John 11:1-16. This passage is a poignant reminder of the magnitude of Jesus' love, His power over death, and His promise of eternal life. It's a passage that offers us a glimpse of the divine, a look into the very heart of God's love for us. Let me read to you the passage.

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus' Jurisdiction Over Death

In the narrative of Lazarus, we find a profound demonstration of Jesus' authority over death. This is not a power that is limited or constrained, but rather it is absolute and all-encompassing. It is a power that transcends the natural laws of the universe, breaking the chains of mortality and ushering in the promise of eternal life.

The first aspect we need to consider is the nature of Jesus' authority. It is not an authority that is derived from earthly institutions or human constructs. Rather, it is an authority that comes directly from God. It is divine, sovereign, and unchallengeable. This is evident in the way Jesus responds to the news of Lazarus' illness. He does not panic or despair, but rather, he confidently declares that the sickness will not end in death. This is a clear demonstration of his divine authority, his absolute control over life and death.

Furthermore, Jesus' authority is not just about control, but also about love. His love for Lazarus and his sisters is evident in the narrative. He loved them deeply, and this love was not just an emotional sentiment, but a powerful force that moved him to action. It was this love that led him to Bethany, despite the danger that awaited him there. It was this love that compelled him to confront death and bring Lazarus back to life. This shows us that Jesus' authority is not just about power, but also about love. His power is always exercised in love, for the benefit of those he loves.

Moreover, Jesus' authority over death is not just about physical resurrection, but also about spiritual regeneration. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he was not just restoring physical life, but also spiritual life. He was not just reversing the process of physical decay, but also the process of spiritual decay. This is a crucial aspect of Jesus' authority that we often overlook. His power is not just about reversing physical death, but also about transforming spiritual death into eternal life.

Finally, Jesus' authority over death is not just a historical event, but a present reality and a future promise. The resurrection of Lazarus was not just a one-time event, but a demonstration of a power that is still at work today. Jesus is still the resurrection and the life. He still has the power to bring the dead back to life, both physically and spiritually. This is a promise that gives us hope, not just for this life, but for the life to come.

Jesus, Our Life Support

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the narrative of Lazarus, we find ourselves encountering Jesus in a new light ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO