Well, it's 4:30AM, January 1st, 2011 and I can't sleep. I'd like to think that it's because of all the great thoughts tumbling around in my head. The truth is it's probably because of that third helping of turkey casserole at the inlaw's house, the snacks at grandpa and grandma's, and the chips and chocolate at home all chased down with some Irish Cream on the rocks.
No, I didn't get drunk.
Yes, I have heartburn.
So while I'm up let me share a few raw, unedited thoughts.
It's time to quit talking about heaven and start talking ressurection.
There have been way too many deaths in my church and community over the past number of years to ignore this issue. Little ones, old teachers, all loved ones. And while the thought of our loved ones in heaven is comforting, does it hold all the hope we were told cling to?
Think of the story of Lazarus, in John's gospel, 11th chapter. Lazarus has died and Jesus goes to comfort the sisters. Many of us have been in similar situations- what words of comfort immediately come to mind?
"You'll see him again in heaven."
Jesus didn't say this. Shocking, isn't it?! I always thought that Jesus died and rose again so that I could go to heaven instead of hell. Going to heaven is what we mean when we say we have eternal life, right? Maybe it's time to draw a little closer to the Master, to listen a little more attentively.
What Jesus said was, "Your brother will rise again."
He and Martha then have a little debate over when, how, and through whom this will happen and the story goes forward. We've read it so many times we're immune to it's potency. So Jesus does something to drive the point home.
And the story ends with Jesus saying,"Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
There are a couple points to be made here.
The first is about God's timeline. Martha expressed to Jesus that she believed Lazarus would "rise again" on the "last day". It's a reasonable belief, and one that I share. But what I and perhaps Martha don't acknowledge is that when we piously wait for God's timing we miss the fact that this could happen at any time. The point of waiting on God, and waiting for His timing, is to wait (and pray) expecting something will happen at any moment.
Which brings us to point number two. Is it our collective lack of clarity regarding this issue , or maybe our unbelief that makes us unexpectant? There haven't been to too many Christian funerals where a family member or close friend ( like Jesus) went down to the casket and told the recently departed to get up. I certainly haven't. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself!
Shame on me, an apprentice of Jesus the Christ, for not taking it for granted that people can come back from the dead.
I think it's time to start a new tradition at Christian funerals. After opening prayer, let the minister ask the deceased to come back in Jesus' name.
Then wait five minutes.
