“Lazarus: Life After Death?”

Psalm 24

John 11:32-44

Rev. Dr. R. Tim Meadows

My sisters’ behavior did not surprise me at all. Martha was Martha a busybody trying to manage the situation even before I died, and Mary ever the pensive, contemplative type sought to be in on the important conversations especially after Jesus arrived. This contrast created conflict between them as usual. I’m told that even Jesus wept at my graveside. Many it seems were disturbed by the loss of my presence among them. This is hard for me to imagine, but then it is an emotion that I’ve felt when I lost others. People keep asking; What is it like to return from the dead? What was it like on the other side? The truth is I do not have much of an answer for either question. What I can tell you are some of the lessons I have learned in life and death, and life after death:

LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT MATTERS BECAUSE IT DOES

Each day we are given is a gift filled with potential, how we use the gift will determine the value it has. One of the reasons I think I struggle with the questions about what things were like on the other side is because God wants us to live in the moment we have before us, and that is what I am trying to do. If we spend our lives preoccupied with the past, or with the future, we will miss the opportunities of the present. Live this moment knowing that it is the time that matters!

PEOPLE YOU INVEST IN ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS YOU ACCQUIRE

Tools and other things you acquire make life somewhat easier but they may also present new problems and complications and they are quickly replaced by new and updated models. People are permanent investments who in turn will make their own investments in others. People will change the world, tools and other things; will be changed by the needs of the world.

IF PEOPLE MOURNYOUR LOSS IT WILL BE BECAUSE YOU LIVED NOT BECAUSE YOU DIED

The anguish of the world will emerge from what they remember about you. The laughter, the tears, the hopes, the disappointments, and the life you shared together, that is the source of their mourning. They will miss the unique contribution you made to the world.

THE END OF YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE IS NOT THE END OF YOUR INFLUENCE ON THE LIVING

Long beyond the time you spend on Earth, your imprint will continue to affect the world. The nature of that impact is what you determine as you live. Your legacy as it is sometimes called will reflect decisions you made in life, people whom you invested in as you lived, hopes and dreams that you pursued and left with the world.

Life after death? No, I do not remember much about that, but I do know that I have this moment, and what I do with it and any other time I may be granted is what is important. If I fill this moment with meaning, the other things will take care of themselves! May God give us the grace to live fully in the moment. AMEN!