The story of Lazarus is one that resonates deeply with all of us. In John 11:17-27, Jesus arrives in Bethany, four days after His friend Lazarus has passed away. Lazarus’ sister, Martha, meets Jesus with a heart full of grief and faith. She tells Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). But Jesus doesn’t offer her an explanation. Instead, He responds with a life-altering promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).
This is more than just a miraculous story. It speaks to the core of what we believe as Christians about life, death, and the hope we have in Jesus. It brings us face-to-face with the Lutheran idea of the “here but not yet”—the understanding that the Kingdom of God is already at work in our lives, but the full picture will only be seen in the life to come. As we reflect on this passage, it invites us to consider our own mortality and find comfort in the promise of resurrection.
The ‘Here but Not Yet’: Living in the Tension
One of the key ideas in Lutheran theology is this “here but not yet” concept. It’s the belief that the Kingdom of God is not just some future hope. It’s here with us right now because of what Jesus did through His death and resurrection. The powers of sin, death, and the devil are defeated. But here’s the thing—the complete victory, the part where everything is made right, where there’s no more suffering, no more death—that’s still to come.
In John 11, we see this tension play out. Lazarus has died. His family is mourning. It seems like death has won. But then Jesus shows up. He doesn’t just talk about resurrection as some far-off event. He tells Martha that He is the resurrection, right now. Jesus brings the future promise into the present. Yet, even as He raises Lazarus from the dead, it’s important to remember that Lazarus would eventually die again. This miracle points forward to something even greater—the final resurrection when death is completely defeated.
We live in that same tension. As Christians, we already experience the new life Jesus gives us. The Kingdom is here, but it’s not yet fully realized. We live with the hope of the resurrection, but we also still face suffering, pain, and yes, death. John 11 reminds us that while we live in the “here but not yet,” we can trust that Jesus is at work, and the day is coming when death will be no more.
Reflecting on Our Own Mortality
Let’s be real—thinking about our own mortality is uncomfortable. We live in a culture that often avoids talking about death. But deep down, we all know that life is fragile. Like Martha, we find ourselves asking why certain things happen. “Why did this illness come?” “Why did God allow this loss?” Martha’s grief is raw, and it’s something we can all relate to: “Lord, if you had been here…” (John 11:21).
Yet, it’s precisely in those moments of grief and fear that Jesus meets us. He doesn’t dismiss our pain. Instead, He stands with us, just as He stood with Martha, and offers us the promise that changes everything: “I am the resurrection and the life.” This isn’t a denial of death’s reality. It’s a promise that death doesn’t have the final say.
As we think about our own lives, we’re invited to face our mortality with both honesty and hope. Yes, death is real. But Jesus has overcome it. The story of Lazarus reminds us that even though we live in a broken world, we do so with the assurance that there’s more to the story. Jesus’ resurrection power is already at work, and one day, it will be fully revealed.
The Promise of the Resurrection
At the heart of this passage, and really the heart of the Christian faith, is Jesus’ bold declaration: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). This isn’t just some abstract theological idea. It’s the foundation of our hope. Because of Jesus, death has been defeated. Because of Jesus, we have life—both now and forever.
In Lutheran theology, we hold tightly to the belief that salvation is all about God’s grace. It’s not something we earn; it’s a gift that Jesus offers freely. When Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” He’s inviting us to trust in Him completely. We don’t have to fear death because Jesus has already walked that road and come out victorious on the other side.
This promise isn’t just for the future—it’s for right now. When we’re baptized, we are united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. Paul talks about this in Romans 6:4, saying that we are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life. This new life starts today. Yes, we will still face physical death, but for those who trust in Christ, death is not the end. It’s the beginning of something even more glorious—the life that never ends.
This is the hope we cling to. The resurrection isn’t just something we wait for at the end of time. It’s something we experience today in the way we live, in the way we love, and in the way we trust that Jesus has overcome death for us.
Conclusion: Holding Fast to Hope in the ‘Here but Not Yet’
So, what do we do with all of this? How do we live in this in-between space of the “here but not yet”? We live with hope. We live knowing that Jesus is with us right now, bringing resurrection power into our lives, even as we wait for the day when all things will be made new.
The story of Lazarus is a reminder that death doesn’t get the last word. Jesus does. And His word is life. We live in the reality that, yes, we will face trials, suffering, and even death. But we don’t do it without hope. We do it knowing that Jesus has promised us eternal life, and that promise isn’t just for the future—it’s for today.
Let’s hold onto that hope as we navigate the challenges of life. Let’s remember that even in the darkest moments, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And let’s live in a way that reflects that truth, trusting that the day is coming when the fullness of God’s Kingdom will be revealed, and we will see with our own eyes what it means to live forever with Him.
Death may still cast a shadow, but the light of Christ shines brighter. The Kingdom is here, and it’s coming in all its fullness. In the meantime, we live with the assurance that in Christ, we have life, and that life will never end. Amen.
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