John 11:21-26
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Quickword: The Front Row
I recently listen to an interview with actress Lauren London. In the interview, she recalled the day she had to sit on the front row of the services of her life partner Nipsey Hussle. The front row as you know during a service celebrates the life of a love is reserved for family and the closest persons in the deceased life. Sitting on the front row is one of the most difficult seats we all will have to sit at some point in our lives. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, these are the moments that a ministry of presence is required. Over the last several years, Mignon and I have traveled to a number of places to share a ministry of presence with family and friends whose time it was to sit on the front row. From North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, multiple cities throughout the state of Texas and now back to Maryland just to name a few. We are present because these persons have been present when it was our turn to sit on the front row. There are times when we can't make it and be present in person, yet the Good News is that we have a Savior in Christ Jesus that is always present. In the text, Jesus shows up after Lazurus had died and it was Martha and Mary's turned to sit on the front row. You know the story, after four days Jesus raised Lazurus from the dead. I suspect that has not been our personal experience but I want you to leave here after reading this word this morning knowing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Those who live in him will rise again. The front row is a hard place to sit; yet we who believe can take comfort in knowing that the dead in Christ will rise again and we will be reunited with our family, friends and love ones over in glory.
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