Death and resurrection. That’s what Christianity is all about. “The wages of sin is death,” St. Paul writes. Adam’s sin infects us all. That’s why we have sickness. That’s why we have death.

It’s not a pleasant thing. Jesus knows that. He experienced it. Joseph died when He was still a young man. Today we’ve heard a little of the account of Lazarus, one of His dearest friends. Why, Jesus even wept! Did you ever think God could cry? He can and did!

Jesus doesn’t like death any more than we do. He wanted to defeat it and destroy it. That’s why He was born. He was born to die. But His Death burst death to pieces. It took somebody it shouldn’t have taken. He is sinless. He didn’t deserve to die. It could not swallow Him. It had to spit Him out. But when it did, He destroyed it.

He raised Lazarus to show the truth. He is the resurrection and the life. Death for us is portal to His nearer presence. It’s getting us all rested up for the wonderful eternal life He will give us when He comes again. He says to you the same words He said to Martha: “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?” “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, The Son of God, Who is coming into the world.”

Don’t forget that this summer. Always believe it. Jesus is The Christ Who came into the world to save you, to forgive your sins and bring you to everlasting life.