Sermons

All Saints’ Sunday

Text: John 11:32-44

Pastor Jean M. Hansen

 

    Today I’m remembering, and you may be too, the story by Annie Dillard about a family that gathered at a cemetery to commit their loved one to the ground, “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” At one point the minister spoke the familiar words from 1 Corinthians, “Where, o death, is thy sting?” Upon hearing that, one of the family members looked up. He scanned the sorrowful faces of his family and saw all around him row upon row of headstones in the cemetery. Then, he thought to himself, “Where, death, is they sting? Why, it’s just about everywhere, seeing as you asked. (1)

     Yes, indeed, and today we pause to acknowledge that reality, not in a morbid way, but with gratitude for those who have died, and sadness too, and also hope, always hope.

     The Gospel lesson for today is one of my favorites, as I noted my “Pondering” in the Beacon of Faith newsletter a few months ago. I am moved by its detail and its message. We picked up the story mid-stream today, after Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died. The narrative actually began with the sisters, Mary and Martha, sending word to Jesus that their brother was ill, asking him to come immediately saying, “He whom you love is ill.” But, Jesus purposely stayed away for two days, telling his disciples , “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory….” It seems that Jesus knew that Lazarus would die, but also that he would raise him from death to life.

     When he finally arrived in Bethany, he encountered Martha first, then Mary, and they both made the same comment, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died,” which was either a confession of faith or a chastising of Jesus. Were they saying, “It’s about time you showed up; this could have been avoided if you had come when we called you!” Or, were they confirming their belief that Jesus has the power to heal? It’s difficult to say; what we do know is that Jesus was moved by the mourning he witnessed. His feelings were stirred up even though he knew the loss was only temporary; his heart ached for those who were hurting. And so, Jesus wept.

     It’s interesting to note, I think, that tears are featured in all of today’s readings. In Isaiah’s vision of a feast at the end of days the prophet proclaims that death will be swallowed up forever, “then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces….” And, in the vision of the new heaven and new earth in the book of Revelation we read, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more….”

     But it’s still the time for weeping in the story of Lazarus. Over the centuries scholars have asked why Jesus wept. The most obvious answer, which has already been noted, is that he was sad; these were people he loved, and they were suffering. Perhaps he even felt a bit guilty since his delay in coming caused them significant pain.

     Some scholars say, though, that there’s a bigger picture here; Jesus wept because there is death in the world, and death is the last great enemy of humanity that he came to defeat. Before that happened, though, he wept for the suffering endured in an imperfect world, for everyone who had to let go of someone they loved. Listen to how commentator Scott Hoezee describes the reason for Jesus’ weeping: “He weeps because as the Word of God who was with God in the beginning and through whom all things were made, he knows more keenly than anyone there that day that this not the way it’s supposed to be. He didn’t say, “Let there be light” in the beginning to end up with a world so full of darkness and sorrow. Jesus weeps because he loves.” (2)

      Another reason Jesus wept, others say, is because he knew that raising Lazarus would tip the scales, anger the religious leaders, who would then get serious about their plot to kill him. Defeating the enemy, death, would require crucifixion and intense suffering for Jesus himself and his followers. So, Jesus wept.

     But then, Jesus spoke. At the tomb in which Lazarus’ body laid, Jesus commanded that the stone be taken away. Ever-practical Martha reminded him that there was already a stench, since her brother had been dead for four days. So it must be, Jesus said, if you wish to see the glory of God. And did they ever see that glory! Jesus told Lazarus to come out, and out he shuffled, his arms and legs bound for death, but soon to be unbound for life. So, while it’s true that the sting of death is everywhere, the hope of the resurrection also makes an appearance. First, though, there are tears.

     Last week we celebrated Reformation Sunday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and it was a glorious day; the organ music soared, the combined choir sang and those who had never been in that sanctuary marveled at its beauty. There was, however, a moment when the sting of death appeared.

     As the service was beginning, a note was handed to Pastor Becki, the interim pastor at Holy Trinity, telling her that the man who had been living in the ally behind Holy Trinity had just been found deceased. Perhaps it was due to the cold night, or health issues, or both, but he had died. There were tears that no one saw but those sitting in the front row. Attempts had been made by the church staff to help him, to take him to Haven of Rest or another shelter, but he always refused. Still, it’s natural to wonder in such situations what else could have been done, and the Holy Trinity folks felt regret, as well as a unique sadness that Pastor Becki expressed. Who but them would remember him?

     His name was Donnell; Jesus remembers him. No doubt Jesus wept for Donnell, for a life complicated by challenges and pain, living in a world where good people struggle with how to help those who suffer.

     But here’s the good news, for Donnell and for those who we remember today, for our loved ones who have died, and for we who face death. Today’s account makes it clear that Jesus had power over death; he demonstrated that when he raised Lazarus from the dead.  But that amazing “sign” was a foretaste of what was to come; Jesus conquered death in his resurrection.

     Jesus is the resurrection and the life, who weeps because he loves and dies because he loves and was raised from the dead because he loves. He told Martha, even as she grieved, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

     She did; do we? It’s true that the sting of death is just about everywhere, including behind a beautiful church where people are praising God. Tears are for now, but so is hope. AMEN