Death has Lost Its Power

Death has lost its Power because of the Work of Jesus. When a man named Lazarus falls ill, his sisters, Mary and Martha, send a message to their friend Jesus to ask for His help. Mary is the same Mary who will anoint Jesus with expensive oil and wipe His feet with her hair. Martha is the same Martha who has hosted Jesus at the family’s home at least once before. Jesus shares a close relationship with these three. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus know Jesus personally. They know Him as their Lord and cherish Him as their friend. We see the dynamic of this relationship when Mary and Martha readily send for their Jesus to help their sick brother.

Jesus does not respond by immediately leaving for Bethany, but instead waits two extra days before traveling to see Lazarus. During this time, Lazarus dies. But this does not concern the Messiah. While Lazarus is dead, he is not lost to Jesus. Jesus says that Lazarus is merely ‘asleep,’ waiting to be woken up. While in death Lazarus cannot do anything for himself, his friend, his Savior Jesus will come to his rescue. Lazarus’ safety and hope of being brought to life depends on Jesus. Jesus has the Power to wake Lazarus from the dead. Jesus has the power to raise anyone from dead. And He does so for those who have received His love. Jesus’ love for Lazarus guarantees that Lazarus will be restored.

As people who know and follow our Lord, we do not have to fear death. Death is not the end for Lazarus, and it is not the end for us who hope in our Savior. God shows us His great Love through Jesus and guarantees that by Jesus there is eternal life in store for us with Him.