May 24: The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Ascension)
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “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. Do you believe this?” –John 11:21-26
Like most of us, Martha spends her time lamenting the past and taking an unexcited hope that it will all work out, but Jesus brings it to her immediate present. Jesus doesn’t says, “I will be the resurrection and life if you will just…” or “I will give you a resurrection and life if you will just…” But, “I am the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in me, though he die yet shall he live.”
There are so many great things about this passage, but probably one of the very best is that Jesus doesn’t invite Martha to try harder to measure up to earn resurrection and life. Whether or not she deserves it doesn’t even enter into the picture. On the contrary Jesus already is the resurrection and life and simple faith is all that is required. That’s the gospel!
Come hear it preached and enacted in the Supper this Sunday as we celebrate the event of Christ’s ascension.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Sunday school for children (on Acts and the Early Church) and adults (on Reformed eschatology) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!