Reflection for Lent V, March 26, 2023 “When God Brings New Life Amid Death”
Krista’s Reflection for Lent V: Based on John 11:1-44
“When God Brings New Life Amidst Death”
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Introduction to the Scriptures John 11:1-44
Jesus did many impossible things, many “signs” or miracles in the Gospel of John. He:
– Turned water into wine,
– Gave the woman living water, new life
– Fed the 5000
– Walked on water
– Healed a paralyzed man
– Made the blind man see.
Today he will do his final sign: raise Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus is a dear friend of Jesus, and brother of Martha and Mary, who are also Christ’s disciples.
This is the moment Jesus proves he is the Messiah.
It is also the sign that points to Jesus’s own death and resurrection… These signs help us realize that Jesus is who he says he is, will do what he says he’s going to do; that hope comes, new life comes.
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t get up out of bed? Like you were so heavy laden, troubled, or ill, that you feared it would never get better? Or maybe it was someone you love, someone who is struggling, or ill, or not able to do what they once did? And you worry for them and pray for a miracle…
This passage is full of human emotions, just like that.
Certainly, Jesus performs a miracle. He raises Lazarus from the dead. But I want to draw your attention to the shortest sentence (in the King James version) of the Bible:
Jesus wept.
Indeed, Jesus felt for these people. It says many times, “he loved them.” Jesus feels what we feel.
Even though he performs this great miracle, first it says, he was greatly troubled in his spirit (meaning his heart).
Jesus was troubled? Jesus wept?
Yes.
Jesus is greatly troubled not for his own problems – because indeed he had problems. He knows he was going to Jerusalem to be crucified. He is troubled for his dear friends, Mary, and Martha, who are in distress. They know Jesus is powerful, they had seen him do many miracles. And they prayed and wrote coaxing him to return and save their brother.
Jesus had already headed toward Jerusalem, to face his own fate. But he tells his disciples, we better turn back, and go to our friends.
The disciples don’t understand. “Lazarus is sleeping? He’ll be fine, let’s go Jesus! We have greater work to do in Jerusalem!”
No, Jesus tells them. “Lazarus is dead. We must go back, so I can show you and them God’s glory.” (They still don’t get it. But they follow him.) This is a story about love as much as it is about miracles.
But isn’t love a miracle?
Grace Cathedral
In was the fall of 2014, I booked a trip to San Francisco for a conference – one of my many spiritual seeking treks.
I met this small group of people there who became my friends, and we decided to go to Grace Cathedral – it is quite something. It has this beautiful labyrinth inside of it, and another outside.
So we decided to walk the labyrinth. Nothing particularly mind-boggling happened, it was nice, and then we left.
On the last day of the conference, the man who ran it brought his grand daughter and family to meet everyone, and this little girl ran up and down the aisles, she was so full of joy.
Her name was Grace.
Then I got a call from my mom saying that my dad had heart trouble and was booked for heart surgery shortly after I got back.
That was scary! I felt this surge of emotion, I needed to get back and be with my parents. I loved them and wanted my dad to be well.
I packed my bags, feeling trepidatious for what lay ahead.
And I prayed fervently for a sign that he would be OK.
When I got home, and it was time for his surgery, my mom and I waited at the hospital.
It was going to take a long time, so we went outside for a walk. As we were walking along, outside on a beautiful path, my mom noticed all the trees, and the sun was beaming down on us.
As we walked behind RVH along a little road, I noticed it was called, “Grace St.”
When we went back inside the hospital, we were looking for somewhere quiet to be, and so we went into this circular atrium where the light was shining down. I saw a sign on the wall to come and walk the floor labyrinth set up in one of the rooms. I thought, that’s neat!
So we went and we walked this cloth labyrinth laid out on the floor of a large room. A nice lady was at the welcome desk, and I spoke to her after and asked, “where did you get this cloth labyrinth?”
And she said, “Oh! We got it from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.” The very same Cathedral I had just been to the previous week.
I nearly dropped to the floor.
Finally, as if that was not enough, we went to the little chapel to pray, and they had a Daily Bread, so I grabbed it, and opened it to this story about John Newton, and the story of his famous hymn, does anyone know? “Amazing Grace.”
After many hours, my dad came out of surgery with flying colours. He was the first one out of ICU, smiling, and was already entertaining all the nurses. I will never forget what God did for me that day, and for the many signs I realized were planted along the way – even before I asked for them. Everywhere I turned were these signs: Grace cathedral, the little girl named Grace, Grace St., the labyrinth from Grace cathedral, and of course, Amazing Grace.
Just like in the Gospel of John, Jesus planted many signs along the road to Jerusalem.
These signs taught his disciples and friends (and us) to have faith, to remember despite the challenges ahead, even amid death, Jesus brings hope, and new life, and everything would be alright.
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha were probably feeling sad and scared. Their beloved brother had died. And Jesus came four days too late!
But Jesus came.
He came after Lazarus had died, four days later. All seemed lost. He wanted them to know that he would be with them when they weep, as much as when they feel joy at his presence. He wanted them to trust him.
Martha believed Jesus when he talked about the resurrection – but she thought he meant later, on the last day of judgement. She didn’t think he could raise him right there and then from the dead!
Mary was too grief stricken to believe it.
They took Jesus down to the tomb to show him – see, he’s dead! It’s too late! They cry. Martha does believe Jesus, but maybe she even doubted. Then Jesus does something amazing.
It isn’t what we think.
He wept.
Why?
Does he weep because he feels their pain and sorrow, and he loves Lazarus? Yes, it does say he loves them. Does he weep also for those who don’t believe, who doubt him despite all the signs? Yes they hesitate and doubt, but he goes to them still. He raises up Lazarus.
He went out of his way to show them, through the many signs, and through his love, that he will be with them always. Even amid death, he will raise them to new life.
Spring In the Garden
On Friday, it was sunny – do you remember? And I was seeing the last vestiges of snow melting away. The ground was mostly brown, with tiny signs of green.
I got my rubber boots on and put on my big floppy hat and got my gardening tools out. I never go out in March, but I thought – I’m going out! The ground was soggy and wet, but I walked around the whole yard back and front, cutting back some of my roses that I had forgotten to do in the fall (because I was too busy!) and dead-headed everything I could see. It was so satisfying!
Spring had finally come!
A few weeks ago we were in blizzard, and now I could see my spring tulips starting to come up. I saw a robin pecking around, and even a possum near my back walk out.
A week before I had felt the weight of the winter on me, and the challenges of life in ministry – walking with people here at Churchill and Gilford through all the ups and downs of life.
I had even gotten stuck in the mud at Gilford on Thursday, and my car wouldn’t budge. But the folks at Gilford came to rescue me and coaxed my car out of the mud. Yes I prayed, and in 15 minutes I was on my way!
I realized something as I walked around the garden, too.
I really loved these people! And that’s hard because love has a cost. When we love someone, we might lose them. And when we lose them, our hearts break. We weep, just like Jesus for his friends.
But I remembered Mary and Martha, watching Lazarus come out of the tomb. It must have been amazing (and a little terrifying! Like how is that possible?!) But there he was alive.
And I remembered the time at Grace cathedral when God planted those signs so I would know my father would be alright.
Even though we may not see our loved ones return to life physically – God reminds us of this truth, that new life will come.
Krista’s 3 things.
1. GOD GIVES US MANY SIGNS
– miracles in the Gospel of John
– signs of Grace I experienced before and during my father’s surgery – changing of the seasons from winter to spring every year
These signs give us hope and teach us that everything and everyone who suffers or dies will be given new life in Christ.
2. JESUS WEEPS – he feels what we feel, he weeps BECAUSE…
3. JESUS LOVES US – he gives us signs and he weeps for us because he loves us.
Closing
We still have another week to walk to Jerusalem.
In this last sign, raising Lazarus, Jesus points to his own death on the cross on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
We still have many challenges ahead. And we too may weep or feel sad, scared, or worried.
But I am reminded of my faith again and again, like the signs from Grace cathedral, and the little birds of spring, that God is with us, Jesus comes to us and comforts us, and shows us signs of new life.
Final Meditation
Let us take a moment with Jesus and receive his comfort and promises again.
Relax, take a deep breath, gently close your eyes. Imagine Jesus is right there with you, saying…
JESUS
You are my brother and sister,
I love you.
I am all around you.
I weep and console you.
I understand your troubles. They are mine.
When you weep, I weep.
When you are fearful, or sad, or ill,
I will raise you up.
When you are sleeping, I whisper in your ear.
Come to me, all you who are weary or heavy-laden and
I will raise you up!
Amen.