Lent 5

Lent 5 continued

Read Romans 8:6-11

Romans chapter 8 begins with the grand statement that there is “no condemnation” to those who are in Christ, or to put it another way, those who believe all that Jesus has done for them on the cross. Paul then follows on with these few verses which remind his readers that as a consequence of that assurance there is a need to see ourselves in a new light. Namely that as we are already free from the condemnation of the law we are to set our minds on the Spirit.  Paul envisions an either or, either death, or life and peace! On the one hand there are those who despite being freed still want to prove something by following a set of rules or maybe living up to other people’s expectations: Proving to God and possibly themselves that they are good enough to be a disciple. This kind of living Paul says is the road that leads to death, in other words it has no future. On the other hand there are those who by trusting in what Jesus Christ has done have seen that a future is not only possible but indeed is already emerging.  John Wesley wrote, “Things eternal are much more considerable than things temporal; the things that are not seen are as certain as the things that are seen”. The new life, in this new future, is fully realised through the resurrection of Jesus and all those in Christ have a place in this resurrection. This is part of what we celebrate at Easter. Paul’s exhortation is for all believers to grasp the message that this new future is already present. Though we do not yet fully see this new life, through the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection we too can look forward to being alive, i.e. not heading for final death. In the joyful knowledge of that we live our lives accordingly; staying true to God and trusting in God for every decision we make, knowing that God’s future of which in Christ we have become a part lies before us.

Prayer. Almighty and life giving God forgive us our complacency and failure to see the great future that awaits us through the life and death of Jesus Christ. Forgive us for living lives filled with concerns for things that are transient and failing to receive those things from you that are eternal. Help us all to live, trusting in your strength alone. Give to us such assurance that we grasp those things of the Spirit through whom we have true life. And rejoicing in your goodness and grace, grant that our lives are filled with your peace and blessing. As we turn to face the future with you, teach us to recognise those areas of injustice around us which sometimes we perpetuate. As we live in your name help us also to live showing love and care to others as indeed you have shown love and care to us.This we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

Read: John 11:1-45

Without being too disrespectful it is easy to picture the emergence of Lazarus staggering out of the cave like a scene from a film like, “The return of the mummy!” But John in his wisdom has a much more serious object in mind as this story unfolds. There is the determination of Jesus to journey to Judea to be with Martha and Mary in their time of grief. The resolve to go to Bethany and revive Lazarus is central. Jesus knew the danger as did all the disciples yet it is Thomas who stands with Jesus to resolutely follow him. A few weeks after Easter we will be misguidedly calling him “doubting Thomas”. The story clearly tells us that Jesus has power over death but it also tells us that Jesus is not afraid to face physical danger in order to go to the assistance of his friends. John then has a word play on Jesus referring to the death of Lazarus as being asleep, a euphemism for death which the disciples do not understand. This leads on to Martha’s assertion that all will rise in resurrection, (that is return to life), in the last days. She ends this assertion by declaring that Jesus is the Lord’s anointed Messiah. John has carefully laid out the scene. Lazarus is dead; the Jews believed that after 4 days the spirit would have left the body: It is then that Jesus makes the dramatic call for Lazarus to come out, brings to a climax the revelation that Jesus has great power. Jesus brings  life, and death is forced to release Lazarus. “Unbind him and let him go (free)” The whole story is a prefiguring of life post Easter for Easter frees us from the fear of death and points us very clearly towards the future life in Christ. As John’s story concludes, we see that the power of Jesus to bring life allows even enemies to believe.

Prayer. Lord, increase the power of our faith as we trust more and more in you. Grant us to know in daily life something more of the faith that pleases you; the faith that can remove mountains; the faith that overcomes the world. May we see and believe that all things are possible when we live according to your will. Grant that we be so at ease in your presence that we will spend every moment, whether waking or sleeping seeking your close council, your approval for all we think or do. May we so trust in your wisdom and mercy that at all times we will remain calm and unafraid even when events seem to work against us. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.