As our season of Lent 2005 comes to a head, we continue to be confronted with our own mortality. What was kicked off with Ash Wednesday—"you are dust and to dust you shall return"—continues in the little town of Bethany. The wages of sin is death, and Lazarus has received payment; he lies in the tomb, his body rotting and decaying as the physical effect of sin takes its toll—lying there four days, a bad odor has no doubt formed.

Yet, it is not only Lazarus' life that flashes before our eyes. Jesus is nearing the end of His life on earth. As chapter 10 of St. John's Gospel comes to a close, the Feast of Dedication had just taken place—Jesus was in Jerusalem for Hanukkah; it was December by our calendar. In a short few months, Jesus would return to Jerusalem to be "betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified." He goes to fulfill the will of His Father, Who desires all men to be saved, and die as the once-for-all sin offering.

In the death of Lazarus and the sacrifice of Jesus, we see our own mortality. Like Lazarus, we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death. One day, these bodies will return to the dust from which they were created. Following that, we confront the gut-wrenching truth that the sin which will claim these mortal bodies is the same sin that condemns Jesus to death. Jesus bore the full wrath of God for us, in our place, on our behalf—however you may want to word it—so that we would not have to.

Still, there is hope, because Jesus is present. There is hope because of who Jesus is!

After spending some time in the wilderness where John had baptized, He makes His way to the little town of Bethany. He is met on the way by Lazarus' sister, Martha, who heard that He was on His way. What she says is astounding: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Does she not pray a portion of a petition of the Lord's Prayer? "Lord, you could have kept Lazarus alive, but your will be done!" Or, fast forward to Jesus words that night in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." As if to rephrase what Martha said: "Lord, I wish you could have been here to keep Lazarus alive; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Here's the hope since Jesus is present, the words Jesus pronounces: "Your brother will rise again." And Martha, who was once concerned that Mary was not helping her serve a meal, understands what He is saying, though not completely: "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Recall that Jesus had previously told His disciples, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Still, he lies dead in a tomb. By these words, Jesus declares that Lazarus will not only rise at the last day, but He will be raised back to life this day, to the glory of God the Father and God the Son.

In a few months, however, Jesus will return to Jerusalem and give His life as a ransom for many. Like Lazarus, He will be wrapped in linens and perfumed. Like Lazarus, He will be placed into a rock-hewn grave. Like Lazarus, He will be sealed in His grave by a large stone laid across the entrance. But as you well know and will no doubt be reminded of again in two weeks, Jesus did not remain dead and in the grave. Like Lazarus, the Son of God will be raised to life. The Son of God will be raised back to life and give hope to all who believe on His name!

So, what can we say of His glory? We can quote Him: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." So, what Jesus asked Martha can be asked of you, as well. "Do you believe this?"

We must be honest with ourselves. We can easily become discouraged, even to the point of despair, doubt, and unbelief—to the point of hopelessness. "Do you believe this?" The trials and events of the sinful life can lead us to the point when we say, "I'm not sure anymore," or, frightfully, "No."

One need look no further than right here, in the church [right in our churches]. There are many Sundays when we must concede that we would fit comfortably in a building half this size. Yet, we look at all the empty pews and realize that there must have been a time when they were all filled. There had to have been a time when there was a need for this much room. What has happened that they are now not all full?

What's the reason? Well, I'd be lying to you and myself if I even assumed to have the answer, for there are almost certainly many reasons. But these could be but a few of them. Older members die and there just isn't the number of youth that there used to be because they have moved away, left the church, or simply because families are smaller these days than just 50 years ago. Or, it is certainly easier to stay home an extra day—sleep in two days a week—given the hectic work week many people have these days; so more and more people worship at St. Mattress. Or, maybe there is unresolved conflict between a member and the pastor or a previous pastor and the member refuses to come to worship as a result. And we can't overlook the effect that illness is having, especially this winter, given how mild it has been; the flu has claimed the Sunday attendance of half of some congregations. The list can, undoubtedly, go on an on, ad nauseum.

Of course, the effects of this are easy to see. It becomes more and more difficult to fill council positions. Constitution and by-laws may need to be overlooked and amended with regard to term limits just to keep positions filled. The offering numbers keep declining as attendance declines. Sunday school classes are combined, or may have already been reduced to one. Ultimately, the congregation may have to close.

But it is not only congregational matters that can cause us to become discouraged. There is infighting and general apostasy within our beloved Synod. Look at the political and moral climate of the country...of the world. Or there are personal setbacks such as the loss of a job, the loss of a family member or friend, or the loss of your health. With the loss of so much, it is easy to lose all hope, and once again, our own mortality becomes all the more apparent.

We live in a world torn apart by sin, and we struggle with that sin all the time. On our own, that struggle is un-winnable.

But there is hope. Jesus lives; He may have been crucified, dead and buried, but on the third day He rose again from the dead, and lives! And He is present here, among us. Attendance may be declining, but there are still two or more gathered in His name. His Word is faithfully proclaimed in its purity among us. His Sacraments are administered in accordance with the Gospel among us. Jesus is truly present in these means of grace.

It is the by the grace of God that the Word of God was proclaimed to the dead man—"Lazarus, come out"—and he was raised to life. And it is by the grace of God that the Word is proclaimed to men dead in sin—"I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"—and where there is this forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

By the grace of God, the Word of God was proclaimed to the dead man in the tomb—"Lazarus, come out"—and he was given life. By the same grace of God, the Word of God is proclaimed to dead men in the font—"I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"—and the baptisands are raised to newness of life.

By the grace of God, the Word of God called to His friend for whom He will die—"Lazarus, come out"—and he received the Life of the world. By the same grace of God, the Word of God calls to His friends for whom He died—"...Take and eat...take and drink..."—and they receive the very Body and Blood of the life of the world.

By the grace of God, the Word of God has taken our sins and sinfulness upon Himself, and there crucified it with Him. He has won the struggle over sin with His death, and gives us the victory—the forgiveness of sins. He has won the battle over death, and gives us the victory—eternal life!

Jesus is alive; He is risen, and He is among us! He is come to bring us forgiveness of sins and life and salvation. He is come to bring hope to a hopelessly discouraged people. What is that hope? He says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." In other words, "Yes, the wages of sin is death and you are mortal, but I come that you may live, for I have conquered death and given you the victory. Though you may die, yet shall you live by grace through faith." He therefore asks, "Do you believe this?" By the grace of God, despite the worries and sorrows which can discourage, we can answer with Martha, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." He has come and is come to give you hope and peace, peace which the world cannot give, for He has forgiven you or all your sins!