Finding Hope in Resurrection: It's Never Too Late for Jesus

It's Never Too Late for Jesus: Finding Hope in Resurrection

Death is a topic that many of us try to avoid. We live in a culture that hides death away and tries to pretend it doesn't exist. But the truth is, death is the great enemy and it is something that we will all face at some point in our lives. It's a harsh reality, but it is a reality nonetheless.

However, as Christians, we have hope in the face of death. We know that death is not the end, but rather a doorway to eternal life. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who conquered death and made it possible for us to have new life in him.

The Reality of Death

It's easy to live in denial of death, to push it to the back of our minds and pretend that it won't happen to us. But the reality is that death is a natural part of life. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

Death is not something that we can escape, no matter how much we might try. It comes for us all, whether we are young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick. It's a sobering thought, but it is one that we need to confront if we are to truly understand the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

The Hope of Resurrection

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead. This event, which we celebrate at Easter, is the cornerstone of our faith. It is what gives us hope in the face of death.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

This passage reminds us that just as Adam's sin brought death into the world, so Christ's resurrection brings new life. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance that we too will be raised from the dead and given new life in him.

The Story of Lazarus

The story of Lazarus in John 11 is a powerful illustration of the hope of resurrection that we have in Jesus Christ. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus, and when he fell ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus to come and heal him.

However, Jesus did not come right away. Instead, he waited for two days before beginning his journey to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already died and had been in the tomb for four days.

When Jesus arrived, Martha came to him and said, "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" (John 11:21-22).

Jesus then said to her, "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23). Martha responded, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day" (John 11:24).

But Jesus had something even greater in mind. He 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 11:25-26).

Martha responded, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world" (John 11:27).

Jesus then went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried and commanded him to come out. Lazarus emerged from the tomb, still wrapped in his burial cloths. Jesus then said to the people gathered there, "Unbind him, and let him go" (John 11:44).

This incredible miracle is a powerful reminder of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, so too will we be raised from the dead through faith in Jesus Christ.

It's Never Too Late

One of the most powerful aspects of the story of Lazarus is that he had been dead for four days before Jesus arrived. In Jewish tradition, it was believed that the soul of a person lingered near the body for three days before departing for good. So when Jesus arrived on the fourth day, it was thought that there was no hope for Lazarus.

But Jesus proved that it is never too late for him to work a miracle. Even when all hope seems lost, Jesus is still able to bring new life. This is a message that we need to hear today, especially in a world that can often seem hopeless.

Perhaps you feel like your situation is too far gone, that there is no hope for you. Maybe you have been struggling with an addiction for years, or you feel like your marriage is beyond repair.

But the story of Lazarus reminds us that it is never too late for Jesus. He is able to work miracles, even in the most hopeless of situations. All we need to do is have faith in him.

The Importance of Faith

Throughout the story of Lazarus, we see the importance of faith. Martha and Mary both had faith in Jesus, and they believed that he could have healed Lazarus if he had been there. When Jesus arrived, they expressed their faith in him, even though Lazarus had already died.

Jesus himself emphasized the importance of faith when he said to Martha, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:26). Martha's response, "Yes, Lord; I believe," is a powerful example of the kind of faith that we need to have in Jesus Christ.

But what does it mean to have faith? Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is not just believing that something is true, it is acting on that belief and trusting in God's promises.

When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we trust that he is who he says he is and that he is able to do what he promises. We trust that he has conquered death and that he is able to give us new life. And we trust that he is able to work miracles, even in the most hopeless of situations.

The Promise of Eternal Life

The hope of resurrection that we have in Jesus Christ is not just a hope for this life, but for eternal life. John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance that we will spend eternity with him. We will be raised from the dead and given new life in him, and we will live forever in his presence.

This promise of eternal life is a source of great comfort and hope for Christians, especially in times of trial and suffering. As Paul writes in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Closing Thoughts

Death is a reality that we all must face, but as Christians, we have hope in the face of death. We know that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance of new life in him. The story of Lazarus reminds us that it is never too late for Jesus to work a miracle, even in the most hopeless of situations.

As we face the challenges and uncertainties of life, may we hold fast to our faith in Jesus Christ and trust in his promises. May we live our lives with the assurance of eternal life, and may we always remember that it is never too late for Jesus.