
Resurrection and Life
John 1:17-29 Today’s segment of the story of the raising of Lazarus is an exchange between Jesus and Martha. “If you had been here

John 1:17-29 Today’s segment of the story of the raising of Lazarus is an exchange between Jesus and Martha. “If you had been here

In the story of Lazarus at the rich man’s gate, who are you and I?

This is about how all of us belongs to God–every muscle, sinew, and organ, as well as every thought and hope that flies out of our neurons–and God’s promise of a new, dazzling body that makes our mortal bodies of flesh pale in comparison, that we can scarcely comprehend.

There have been some things which didn’t kill me, and also didn’t make me stronger. I wish people would stop saying stuff like that. Let’s face it, life can leave you weak and half-dead, trapped in death clothes that won’t come undone.

Knowing to whom we belong, we open ourselves to who we are meant to be. And then we open ourselves to astounding miracle and to mind boggling transformation, at our deaths and in every single day of our lives.

Our Lenten Journey isn’t over yet, but the time is short. Make final preparations!

Where is Jesus faintly calling for you to “Come out! Come out!” today?

As long as we allow death culture to reign over kingdom culture people can’t become saints. Death culture makes it impossible for people to do anything except survive. But — and this is the good part — with God all things are possible. We can move from being a society of survivors to a society of thrivers, but only if we help one another.

If we want to be like Lazarus, we have to shed those bindings, with some help at times, so that we can walk out of the dank tomb and feel the light and love of resurrection. All that we leave behind makes us lighter for the journey, and there will be companions with us.