3/9/08
En Theos Enthusiasm for the Faith
Q. What does John's account of raising Lazarus from the dead say concerning our Lenten faith journey?
A. The raising of Lazarus, unique to John's Gospel, is the narrative proclaimed on the fifth Sunday of Lent in Year A. The account is rich in affirmations concerning who Jesus is and what his ministry is all about.
The structure and purpose of John 11 is similar to the healing of the blind man in John 9. The former focuses on Jesus as the giver of life in the midst of death, while the latter highlights Jesus as the light of the world in the midst of darkness. Both accounts offer illuminating insights into the Lenten faith journey.
The "I am" statement that Jesus asserts as he raises Lazarus from the dead is rich with Lenten meaning. Jesus proclaims, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26)
Death, the ultimate boundary to be crossed, is now, through Jesus, removed of all its sting and darkness. Jesus is the Lord of life for all who believe. No matter what death brings, it will not endure, for Jesus has overcome death. Anyone who believes will share in that eternal life.
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