Lent Five 2014

Lent 1 Sin
Lent 2 Salvation
Lent 3 Faith
Lent 4 Sight
Lent 5 God's Love and Forgiveness

Can't read today's Old Testament Lesson and not think of the Sunday
School Ditty, Dry Bones
Dem Bones, Dem Bones, etc.

Ezekiel has a vision of an ancient battleground where the bones of the
unburied dead lay brittle and bleached. Just as these bones come back to
life the fortunes of Israel and Judah can be restored if only they will
be faithful to their god.

Psalm 130 glories in God's forgiving love.

Romans once more stresses that we are spiritual beings for things of the
spirit are eternal, things of the flesh will perish.

And so we come to Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Their home in Bethany was a
short distance from Jerusalem but it was a place of solace to which
Jesus returned often and was always welcome. It is instructive to note
that it is practical-minded Martha who sends for Jesus. Mary and Martha
keep house for their brother, no mention is made of their spouses,
therefore aside from losing a beloved sibling since as woman they would
have no property rights they would also have lost all visible means of
support. The Jews who were in their home consoling them were also
waiting to divide up the spoils. Resurrecting Lazarus was not an act of
mercy for Lazarus but it sure saved his sisters' bacon.

For the writer of John the resurrection of Lazarus is an example of a
sign and wonder, a miracle that served to confirm Jesus' position as the
messiah. For us it serves as an exemplar of God's love for all people.
Even though he knows that he is about to raise Lazarus back to life in
response to Mary's grief in his humanity Jesus weeps. As God made
manifest Jesus demonstrates his loving concern for Mary and Martha in
their sorrow and in doing so for us.

On the other hand the Jewish authorities saw this event as yet another
threat to their authority and sped up their plotting which led to the
crucifixion. First next Sunday we see the triumphal entry of the "King
of the Jews" into Jerusalem. Most did not realize until later that his
Kingdom was a spiritual one which we as Christians share a place. God
was willing to restore his people Israel in their distress if they but
believed, he is the God of Forgiveness who in his love redeems his
people Israel, and he is the God who will preserve our spiritual bodies
if we but believe.