The state of Wisconsin right now is like a huge object lesson on the Kingdom of God.  I say that because all over our state farmers are planting their crops.   Everywhere they are putting the seeds in the ground.  Wheat and corn and soybeans and alfalfa.  Drive anywhere and you will likely pass a field where you will see the corn now sprouted and well on its way to being “knee high by the 4th of July.”

In order to appreciate our text this morning, we need to have a little knowledge about the Jewish concept of “sabbath.”  The word “sabbath” means “rest.”  It is a concept the Lord wanted to deeply impress on his Old Testament people.  The Lord gave Israel her calendar with these instructions:  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. (Exodus 20:8-11)  Thus the “Sabbath day” was born for Israel.

Of all the stories recorded in the Bible, are there any more spectacular and spell-binding than when someone is raised from the dead?  I remember Bible history class when I was a child in school.  I remember how the stories of Jesus raising people to life really captured my attention.  I remember how intensely I listened to the stories of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter, and raising the widow’s son in the village of Nain, and I remember listening with rapt attention as Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend Lazarus and called, Lazarus, come forth!  And out came Lazarus alive! 

44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”