First thoughts on the Sermon for April 6 Lent 5 A - The Resurrection of Lazarus

Lent 5 A - John 11:1-45 

First thought #1

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."

In John's Gospel the promise of resurrection is not JUST about something off in some distance future. The promise is of a resurrected life HERE AND NOW.

Where do you experience new life in the midst of death in your world today?

First thought #2

43 When Jesus had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Lazarus comes walking out of the grave at the sound of the Lord saying his name. But he still needs his family and friends to "unbind him and let him go."

Where are you and the Church called to "unbind people and let them go" so that they can experience the life that God wants for them today? How do we actually do that?

Join in the conversation!

Peace and joy...

Steve