Lent 5

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church-Friedheim
Celebrating our 169th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Lent 5
March 9, 2008
John 11:17-45
“I am the Resurrection”
Who Is This Man who is Going to the Cross?

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The raising of Lazarus sets the stage for Jesus’ entering Jerusalem for His passion and marks the conclusion of His public ministry. The raising of Lazarus was the last straw that caused the religious authorities to act. They had to do something quickly to rid society of the menace of Jesus who, through the raising of Lazarus, earned tremendous popularity and notoriety. There is nothing new about Jesus’ power to raise the dead, for he had already raised several people. In this story we see the reaction of Mary, Martha, and the people; the humanity expressed in Jesus’ weeping; the power of Jesus’ word; and the teaching of His being the resurrection and the life to all who believe.  The raising of Lazarus shows us the power of life over death as Jesus has an Encounter with a dead man: life, eternal life is the outcome.

In this powerful encounter the Evangelist gives us the meaning of suffering. In this passage, illness and death are considered means by which God is glorified. When we are ill, God’s healing reveals his glory. When we are dead, God’s raising us, like Lazarus, is for the glory of God. In the resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of God’s help.

Jesus is a full human who has the capacity to feel the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of Mary and Martha. He weeps with Mary over Lazarus’ death. He expresses his love for his friends. Jesus did not really need to cry, for he knew what he was going to do in the raising of Lazarus. Yet, human as He was, He was caught up in the situation and identified with his friends.

Eternal life is a present possession. It is not life after death, nor life after life, but life during life. Jesus emphasized the present life — “I am the resurrection and the life.” This quality of life begins at the moment of faith in Christ. It is not a natural endowment, but a gift to those in Christ. We do not wait until death to go to heaven for life. We are given eternal life before death. If we do not have it before death, we will not have it after death.

God did not speak nor work independently. He was one with the Father and the Father gave him his power to heal. Before raising Lazarus, Jesus prays to thank God for hearing and answering his prayers. It was God who worked and spoke through him. The distinctiveness of Jesus was his unique oneness with God.

Through the media, William Schroeder, who was recuperating from receiving an artificial heart, was seen and heard receiving a phone call from then President Reagan. It was a great honor, an unforgettable experience, to get that phone call. Suppose you, like Mary in the text, received a call from Jesus. That would be even more wonderful, would it not? To you Martha is saying, “The teacher is here, and is calling for you.”

Outline: Your response to Martha’s message —

1. Who is calling? None other than Jesus!

2. Whom does He want? None other than you!

3. Why is He calling me? To comfort you, to share your sorrow, to express His love.

+Soli Deo Gloria+