Sermon -- 5th Sunday in Lent (March 22, 2026)

THIS MAN HAS POWER OVER DEATH.

JOHN 11:17-27,38-45

In the name + of Jesus.

      It is almost impossible to underestimate how much went wrong back in the Garden of Eden.  Sin entered the world.  There were consequences to women, such as pain in child-bearing.  There were consequences to men.  The man’s role was to work and provide for his family.  But the Lord informed him, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.  It will produce thorns and thistles for you” (Genesis 3:17-18).  The earth was not merely plagued with thorns and thistles.  The ground would know earthquakes, wildfires, and pestilence.  The earth would know blizzards, hail, and tornadoes.  Bodies would experience broken bones, allergies, genetic disorders, and physical disabilities.  Sin has brought on a death march for every living thing.  To top it all off, the curse that comes with sin is eternal.

     When Jesus entered the world to be our Savior, it was not just to deliver us from hell.  The goal is not just to evade punishment.  Think of it this way.  A man steps out of a tavern, having had way too much to drink.  He gets in his car to drive home.  But he crashes through a fence, runs his car into a house, smashes into the living room, is severely injured and severely injures others.  When the man goes to trial, the case is dismissed because of some technicality.  The man goes free, breathes a sigh of relief, and says, “Thank God I am not going to jail!”  Nevertheless, the damage he did remains.  The home is still damaged.  The car is still totaled.  And everyone still faces surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and counselling.  Would anyone conclude there was a happy ending because the man avoided jail, fines, and a criminal record?

     In the same way, if Jesus had done nothing but deliver us from hell, we would find some relief.  We might say, “No eternal punishment.  That’s good.”  But the damage done by sin would still affect our lives.  The world is still broken.  Hearts are still corrupt.  Words are still cruel.  Bodies still suffer pain, disease, and disorders.  And death still claims us all.  It is almost impossible to underestimate how much went wrong back in the Garden of Eden.  So also, it is almost impossible to underestimate how much Jesus does as our Savior.  Jesus has come to restore all things.  This man takes away the sin of the world.  This man will deliver us from all evil.  This man has power over death.

     Jesus got word that his friend Lazarus was ill.  In the days before modern medicine, even a fever could be life-threatening.  The message was an appeal for Jesus to bring the healing he had brought to so many others.  But Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died.  In Jewish culture, they did not waste time with burial.  Lazarus was wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a cave by that evening.  Lazarus’ body was already decaying by the time Jesus had arrived at Bethany.  Nevertheless, Jesus came for Lazarus because this man has authority over death.

     Death is cruel.  When Jesus came to the grave of Lazarus, he wept.  He felt the pain death inflicts on loved ones.  That pain is bad enough, but death is more cruel than that.  It does not care what schedule or responsibilities you have.  It does not respect feelings or friendships or fame.  Lazarus had two sisters, Martha and Mary.  It seems that they were both single.  If so, then Lazarus was responsible for their care and protection.  Lazarus’ death meant their lives would become a lot harder.  For Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ death was not merely the loss of a loved one; that was bad enough.  But now they had responsibilities thrust upon them that they were not prepared for.  Anyone who has had to pick up the pieces after the loss of a loved one can appreciate this.  Death of a loved one produces not only grief, but also additional burdens.

     “When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. …When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him…  Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:17,20-21).  It does not seem that Martha was trying to lay a guilt trip on Jesus, as if to say, “Jesus, you failed us.”  Rather than an accusation, it was a confession.  “Lord, you have healed many people in Galilee and Judea.  I am sure that even with Lazarus at death’s door, you could have restored him to health.” 

     Martha’s confession continued, “‘Even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’  Martha replied, ‘I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day’” (John 11:22-24).  Martha confessed what we all confess: “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” (Nicene Creed).  We confess that because that is what our Lord tells us.  He has promised: “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me, but raise them up on the Last Day.  For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.  And I will raise him up on the Last Day” (John 6:39,40).  This man has power over death.

     Jesus gave Martha a different promise.  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.  And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish’” (John 11:25-26).  Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life.  He didn’t say someday she’ll see it.  He who is the resurrection and the life was standing right in front of her.  This man has the power to raise up Lazarus from the dead.  He not only could revive him, but he could renew him from decay and restore him to his loved ones.  He who created mankind can resurrect and re-create mankind.  This man has power over death.

     Out of compassion for those who were dear to him, “he shouted with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’  The man who had died came out with his feet and his hands bound with strips of linen and his face wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus told them, ‘Loose him and let him go’” (John 11:43-44).  He is the resurrection and the life.  His word overrules the stench, the decay, and the finality of death.  This man has power over death.   

     Although Lazarus was restored to his sisters and was able to continue caring for them, this was a temporary fix.  Lazarus was restored to a broken world.  He returned to a crooked and corrupt population.  In fact, when Lazarus’ resurrection resulted in more people believing in Jesus, the religious leaders deemed it necessary to kill off Lazarus, too.  Lazarus returned to live as a sinner among other sinners.  This return to life was temporary.  The grave would hold him again.

     For whatever reason, people are attracted to the idea of reincarnation.  Even Christians think returning to this world in another life is appealing.  But return to what?  This would still be a world of disease and disorder, corruption and chaos, war and poverty, trials and tears.  What is so attractive about reliving these things again and again? 

     God does not create people to be recycled.  You are a unique creation of our Lord.  You were placed in this world in a particular time and place on purpose, with your own interests, abilities, and personality.  God designed you to be you for eternity. 

     If there is anything about reincarnation we would agree with, it is that all people will be judged at the end of life.  The Lord who gives us life holds us accountable for how we live it.  Our Lord created a perfect world and put holy people in it.  Man’s sin has not changed God’s expectations.  Our Lord’s judgment will not be about a reboot so that we can try again to get it right, as if sinners will ever achieve holiness.  The Lord will call us what we are, and his judgment will be final.

     Jesus came to do more than give us temporary relief from sin and death.  While we are grateful for momentary relief and for happy times, Jesus came to deliver to us eternal joys and everlasting peace.  He came to rescue us from death and a damning judgment.  In order to do that, Jesus had to address the problem that started it all—our sinfulness.

     If this man will have power over death, then this man must also have authority to forgive sins.  That authority was earned by Jesus taking sin and death into himself.  This man stood in place of mankind to suffer what mankind deserves.  The Bible testifies, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus became our sin and, therefore, had to suffer what sin brings—death and a damning judgment.  That is what Jesus endured on the cross.  When Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it is because he was absorbing the torments of hell for every sinner who has ever lived.  No matter what disgrace has stood against you, Jesus has paid the price for it.  In turn, Jesus washed you clean of every spot and stain of sin when you were baptized into his name.  Now you bear a holy status.  So, at the final judgment, Jesus will call you what you are—a saint cleansed by his innocent blood. 

     This man has power over death.  Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies” (John 11:25).  Jesus is the resurrection.  He will raise you up on the Last Day, but not to come back to a world of sorrow, suffering, and loss.  The Lord Jesus will not only raise your body to be forever flawless, he will also restore this whole creation back to the Paradise he had intended it to be.  For, if sin is taken away, so are all the evils that come from it.  Jesus will bring you a new and holy creation. 

     This man has power over death.  Jesus is the life.  Jesus already calls you what you are—a saint cleansed by his innocent blood.  Therefore, consider this marvelous promise.  Jesus said, “Whoever lives and believes in me will never perish’” (John 11:26).  If you are cleansed of sin, then death cannot have you.  Life on earth may come to an end, but life in God’s kingdom will go on without interruption and without end.  For the Christian, death is but the gate to life in heaven.  When you close your eyes in death here, you will open them to see Jesus.  You will live with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.  You will take your place at the heavenly feast.  You will enjoy peace in a sinless existence, and death will flee away.  The man who has power over death gives you endless life.  He will restore all that went wrong because of sin, and he will make it all right.  Since it is almost impossible to underestimate what Jesus has done as our Savior, we will need eternity to rejoice in it and to sing in endless praise.  Thanks to Jesus, you will have it.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.