Solving a puzzle requires various types of skills. Depending of course what type of puzzle you’re talking about. For instance, a medical puzzle requires checking symptoms, running blood tests then making a primary diagnosis. If we’re talking solving a jig-saw puzzle then we look at colors, patterns and side pieces. Who, what, when, where, why and how are the logical starting points for other puzzles. These are frequently asked questions by the police in crime solving, or maybe by a forensic pathologist to find the exact cause of death. An autopsy is still the gold standard for establishing an authoritative answer. Death is a certainty. Only two recorded men have escaped death, Enoch and Elijah. But only one man has been recorded as being called back from death.
Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha and a close friend of Jesus. The sisters had sent for Jesus when Lazarus was near death. Jesus got the message; but stayed an additional two days before returning to Bethany in Judea. Jesus told the disciples with him that Lazarus was dead, and that he was going to see his sisters. At this point the disciples were cautious not curious. The trip would be somber, they would be extra careful not to upset Jesus by talking about how his friend was gone, never to return.
Upon arriving at Bethany, Jesus met with the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary. When Jesus asked where they buried Lazarus, they told him. When the sisters were inconsolable about their brother’s death, we see firsthand the humanity of Jesus. John 11:35 tells us, “Jesus wept”. It’s not only the shortest verse in the Bible; it’s the most emotionally packed display of pure sorrow. Jesus wanted to visit the grave. At this point the disciples were curious not cautious. Jesus stood at the entrance of the cave where Lazarus was buried, and said to remove the stone covering the entrance. With a loud voice, Jesus cried, “Lazarus, come forth”. What happened next was “death defying”, a body wrapped from head to toe like a mummy was moving inch-by-inch directly toward the voice that called it. Curious was in full bloom!
We are cautious about the things we understand, but we are curious about the things we don’t. Maybe that’s why we are so conflicted about death.
Paul says that both life and death are ours. While unbelievers are victims of life, swept along by its current and wondering if there is meaning to it, believers can use life well because they understand its true purpose. Nonbelievers can only fear death. For believers, however, death holds no terror because Christ has conquered all fears. Death is only the beginning of eternal life with God. The book of Romans shows God’s perfect love for us.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 9:38-39
Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with our enemies—pain, suffering, disease, injury—but strength and courage cannot overcome death. Death has the final word. Only one person can walk with us through deaths dark valley and bring us safely to the other side—the God of life, our Shepherd. Because life is uncertain we must follow our Shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” And you know the rest of the quote from Psalm 22:4.
The word death reminds us that there is still time for change, time to examine the direction of our lives, and time to confess our sins and find forgiveness from God. Everyone will die, it just makes good sense to plan ahead to experience God’s mercy instead of his wrath. So, stay curious, but remain cautious.
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