March 26th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Breath of Hope
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “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. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
[Reading above - John 11:1-6, 17-27]
The story of the raising of Lazarus is the culmination of a series of signs in John’s Gospel pointing to the true identity and Divine purpose and power of Jesus. The raising of Lazarus prefigures Jesus’ own death and resurrection. The story records one of the most oft quoted of Jesus’ “I am” statements: 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. Jesus seems to be embracing the way in which he is the manifestation of the Divine life that comes into the world, making resurrected life a current possibility— the eschatological promise is actualized in Jesus! In Feasting on the Gospels (John volume 2, pg. 54) Lee Barret puts it this way, “participation in Christ, and Christ’s Spirit indwelling the believer, is the presence of a life that death cannot destroy”.
Questions for Reflection:
During Lent I have been encouraging you to ponder some questions:
How does one reconcile the commitment of Jesus to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus with his decision to remain in his current location two days longer?
How do you make sense of bad things happening to good people?
In what ways do you understand Jesus’ living presence to be stronger than the bonds of death?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
As Spring dawns spend some time outside working in the soil, planting some seeds, and paying attention to the changes underway. Reflect on the way the renewal of Spring points to the promise of the One who is the resurrection and the life.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
create a to-do list of discipleship actions
list questions you want to explore
write prayers, stories, poems, or letters
be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com