Did the Jesus who was 100% human really believe Lazarus would walk out of his tomb alive?

For a moment, or maybe even more, I don’t think he did.

Jesus stood at his friend’s grave much like we all do at the graves of our loved ones.

Like Jesus, we stand there in our disbelief.

Like Jesus, we are greatly disturbed in spirit.

Like Jesus, we are deeply moved.

Like Jesus, we weep.

And perhaps like Jesus, we begin to speak with our beloved dead.   We ask them why they left us.  We remind them how much we love them and how deeply we miss them.  We tell them how much we wish they would come back to us.

Like Jesus, we might even dare to scream at the casket of our loved one, “Get up, damn it!”    Or at their graveside, “Come back.  Come out!”

Not because we really believe they will get up or come out.

But because, in our grief, we need to say these words.

I believe that in his grief, Jesus needed to say these words.  His dear friend had died.  His heart was breaking with grief.  His tears would not stop.  The pain was more than he could bear.

All Saints Day comes for us who, like Jesus, need to say these words.

“Why did you leave me?”

“Did you know how much I love you?”

“Do you know how much I miss you?”

“Please, come back to me.  Get up. Come out of the grave.”

And today, like Jesus, we are given a glimpse of the resurrection.

Not quite as dramatic as Lazarus. Gertie will not be coming through the door today. Charmaine will not be surprising us this morning. Louis will not be ushering you to the communion table. Nor will Beverly or Elmer come and sit beside you.

Lazarus came out from the tomb because in his own grieving heart Jesus needed to know that the dead would be raised. Jesus needed the promise for himself because he knew his own death was imminent. With his own eyes brimming over with tears of sorrow over the loss of his friend, Jesus needed to see the promise of all things becoming new. For Lazarus, for himself, and for every beloved child of earth.

Today, the sure and certain promise of resurrection is yours, amid your grief and sorrow: from the words of the prophet Isaiah this morning: “The Lord will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.” And from Revelation: God himself will be with them; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, death will be no more.”

Jesus, in whose life, death, and resurrection we have all been made God’s saints, holds you and your loved ones in his eternal keeping.

Today we name their names. We light candles in their memory. And we claim the promise of the resurrection, for them and for us.

For one day, with them, Christ will call out our name and we will awaken in endless light, never to weep — nor die — again.

Amen.