Crescendo

What is a crescendo? The loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound, especially a song. It’s that point in the song that has the most powerful, emotional part. It’s not just in songs though; life has crescendo moments. You can probably hear a lot of crescendo moments when you go to a funeral, and you hear the eulogy. We highlight the greatest points in a life. 

But what if our greatest moment in life was after we die? We talk about that in worship, but sometimes it’s difficult to believe. When we read Scripture, although people saw the amazing things Jesus said and heard life-changing wisdom, they too had trouble believing that after death is where our greatest moments lie. 

At Lazarus’ funeral wake, Mary and Martha both expressed how things could have been different (better) if Jesus had been there when their brother was sick. Jesus, however, knew that it was at that particular moment when He could demonstrate the crescendo of life—resurrection! 

He said in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Paul would later say that this concept is what his entire Gospel message is built upon, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15) “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” 

The resurrection of Lazarus was a huge turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Once people realized that He had power over death, following Him had a different appeal. Until those who were jealous of Him were able to have him killed. After all, a person can’t raise themselves from the grave! Right? 

One of the original endings to the Gospel of Mark ends like this: “Don’t be alarmed,” [the angel] said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid!” [The End] (Mark 16:6-8)

Most scholars believe this would be intended to leave the reader with a desire to know what happened next, and then go investigate. Whether that was the intent or not, we are left wondering what we do with the message of resurrection. We must decide if we believe it enough to follow Jesus or ignore it. But even a skeptic would agree that resurrection from death would truly be an amazing crescendo to this life! 

“Do you believe this?” (John 11:26).