A Fourth-Day Man: Death UndoneIsampula

The first instructive encounter we still study is between Jesus and His short-sighted disciples:

So when [Jesus] heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this, He said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and yet You are going there again? (John 11:6-8)

In other words, “Do you have a suicidal streak in you?" Jesus reminds them that He is there to do the will of God. Here is their exchange:

… He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may awaken him from sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will come out of it." (John 11:11-12)

That's how Jesus viewed death itself—as sleep, as something temporary. The disciples are not understanding, so Jesus explains clearly:

Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about actual sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus died, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him." (John 11:13-15)

The Lord continues to grow His own disciples' faith. And He is faithful to do that for us, even (especially) through global pandemics or the violence of war.