5th Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Our Lenten Journey with the Gospel of John comes to an end on the 5th Sunday in Lent. Three Sundays ago, we begin with Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night (John 3:2), possibly for fear of being seen with him. Nicodemus leaves that encounter hearing from Jesus that those who are true to the glory of God do the work in the light (verse 2). The Kingdom of God on earth is to be seen!
The encounters that followed Nicodemus in the past two Sundays not only happened in the light of the day but also moved characters deemed outcasts and sinners to publicly testify about Jesus. The Samaritan Lady from Sychar shared with her community the joy of hearing from the Messiah in person that they belong to God’s reign. The man born blind in chapter 9 stood his ground when gaslighted by the religious authorities and doubled down in his affirmation of Jesus’ power (verses 24 -34). Nicodemus, too – when we hear again from him in John – later intercedes publicly on Jesus’ behalf (John 7:50-51).
These three characters were transformed into witnesses of God’s visible kingdom by the power of their encounters. However, the outcomes of their testimony are myriad. The Lady’s testimony brings joy and new life to her community. On the other hand, the man born blind gets excluded from his community by standing for Jesus. From Nicodemus’ perspective, his efforts would be for nothing, as Jesus would be put to death.
And death is what brings us to our gospel scene this Sunday.
Jesus’ public ministry reaches a crucial point here amid death and fear of perishing. Jesus’ close and beloved friend, Lazarus, is hopelessly dead. Grief takes over the family, and emotions are raw. This time it is the incarnation of God among humans who seem to be profoundly affected by the encounters with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, who are also close friends of Jesus. He is shaken, distressed, and in deep pain. Jesus weeps over the death and suffering he witnesses. Finally, the liberating commands to Lazarus to come out and to the people to get him unbound will bring his beloved friend back from the dead but will seal Jesus’ destiny among the authorities (John 10:47-50).
The vision of Prophet Ezekiel, writing from the vantage point of a nation disgraced, exiled, and hopelessly dead, reveals the Word’s power of restoring to life even to bones dried out into oblivion. Israel was restored, and Lazarus was brought up from his grave. We can trust God’s promises of redemption.
To the church in Rome, Paul writes that the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us – since baptism – assures us of the fruition of God’s promise to raise us from death into abundant life.
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications (Psalm 130:1-2)!”
Bridging Faith 