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"Lazarus, Come Out" John 11:1-45
This week brings to us another long scripture reading with a number of ways to address us. Read it over 2-3 times before worship and hear it afresh when we get together. While it would be a mistake to consider the physical references in John’s gospel to have spiritual meaning exclusively, it is certainly the case that they are at least related. This is the importance of the Word of God becoming flesh (1:14), and the necessity of being born of water and the spirit to see God’s kingdom.” (3:5) We will meet this connection of physical and spiritual life frequently in John.
I come to this story of raising Lazarus with the anticipation that it is about more than a dead man physically walking again. Indeed, perhaps even more sorrowful can be a spiritual death because the hoped-for life remains a full and real possibility, but it is being obstructed or denied. Perhaps you know people who have given up on life because of some disability, disappointment or trauma. I once visited on occasion with a woman who always blamed her mother for calling 911 and not letting her complete her suicide. What kept this child of God from knowing God’s love? I wish I could tell you I was successful in bringing spiritual healing to her, but I was not. Another woman attempted suicide after a campus rape. Is that why Jesus wept – at the loss of loved ones in God’s creation to the forces of evil, even when these daughters have so much love to give?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit of God is always present, offering comfort, courage and companionship. It sounds easy to just says yes, but this scripture reading reminds us even our friends and relatives can succumb to the trap of spiritual death. Lazarus has been dead so long he smells, and everyone, even his sisters, have given up on him, except as they have turned to Jesus. Jesus didn’t give up.
This doesn’t only happen to individuals. The COVID pandemic hurt most churches, many of which have given up. The leadership of this church has not given up, and instead have been calling us and the surrounding community out of the COVID cave. We need to give everything we can to be a living, thriving, vital church for the sake of all those who would be remaining in the cave for no reason other than their fear of coming out.
These scripture readings are important for the church and the world. Join us in worship and fellowship to remember the value of being together. Contact me any time at dfrancis@umcwfb.org, at 262-617-9330 or in the church office. God bless you.
Pastor Don Francis
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