The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 5 in Year A is the raising of Lazarus in John 11, the last of our four encounters between Jesus and individuals in the Fourth Gospel.
Join James and Ian as they explore the fascinating narrative, and reflect on its implications for our discipleship and the issues around preaching on this passage.
For text discussion of the issues raised, go to this article.
https://youtu.be/JHPonDXP9wk
The video usually preloads to play here—though I am not sure why it is not working here! Click this link to watch on YouTube.
The link only works if I copy and past it into my browser.
Yes, not sure why it is not preloading as usual…
“It is as if, in calling Lazarus out, Jesus calls each of us out of death into new life:
‘Ian Paul, come out! Come out from the tomb of your own self interest, emerge from the darkness of your insecurities and petty jealousies! Come out into the sunshine of God’s grace and breath again the air of life where there is no fear of death! Unwrap those signs of death and defeat which constrict you and prevent you living life in all its fulness!’ ”
I’ve never seen it that way, and it’s really thought-provoking, and inspiring.
I figure, applied to ourselves, we should not visualise this only as a one-time event but a new invitation each day when we wake to keep rising to new life.
One of the most wonderful sentences in all scripture is “Jesus wept” because in its simplicity it vibrates with the nature of God, and God’s feeling and love, which dares to be open and raw. Our ‘coming out of the tomb’ is absolutely contingent on that emotion and givenness, and of course not without cost, because Jesus went all the way to the point of no turning back for his friends.
Thanks for your thoughts, Susannah – here, and on the allied thread.
God bless, you.
Thank you – and grace to you as well.
We’re subscribed to your website—but can’t locate the “play” button to see your discussion about the raising of Lazarus! Have we missed something obvious?
Sorry about that! The video usually pre-loads from YouTube; I am not sure why it has not this time. Clickable link added.