Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 9, 2008 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
[Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45]I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
All of Jesus' "signs" are meant to be statements, rather than proofs, of his identity. They are all very dramatic events in the gospel of John. But it would be hard to beat the raising of Lazarus from the dead when it comes to sheer drama! The statement to Martha is breath-taking as well. Yet, Jesus' compassionate gesture in restoring his friend to life seems to be the last straw to his enemies. They just don't "get it." The raising of Lazarus from the dead is not the same as the resurrection that Jesus claims to be. Lazarus would have to die again. The kind of resurrection that Jesus is speaking about is one which is a matter of conversion from "death" to "life." The raising of Lazarus from the dead does demonstrate that Jesus is lord of living and dead - whether it be physical or spiritual life or death. Martha's faith is really one that says, "Whatever you do, I will accept, because I believe in you." It is a simple faith but it is the faith to which Jesus responds by raising Lazarus. These signs and the faith that they engender create a terrible conflict with Jesus' adversaries. How can a carpenter from Nazareth literally claim to be the source of life to all who believe in him? Killing Jesus (and Lazarus, too) will not solve their dilemma, however. Putting Jesus to death simply gives him the opportunity to demonstrate the very mastery they reject. Where does this leave us? Are we in the Martha camp, or the camp of those who just can't bring themselves to believe Jesus' did these things, even though Lazarus may be walking and living among us every day? Is it pious fiction or true gospel! Is Jesus the resurrection and the life, or not? AMEN
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